Hamilton at a glance
- Population: 5,268, the 18th-largest community in Montana out of 127 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 4,692 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 12.3% higher than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Montana places: 18th in population of 127 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 86% of Montana's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 46.2516 / -114.1600, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Missoula, MT (43 mi); Anaconda-Deer Lodge, MT (50 mi); Polson, MT (99 mi); Helena, MT (105 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Smaller places close by: Pinesdale, MT (6 mi); Darby, MT (16 mi); Stevensville, MT (18 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Hamilton
With an installment loan the payment is fixed for the life of the loan, so the schedule is predictable from the first month to the last.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
Montana lending rules that apply in Hamilton
The Montana rate caps and licensing rules that reach Hamilton are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Deferred deposit loan license requirement (MCA 31-1-705) | A person may not engage in or offer to engage in the business of making deferred deposit loans unless licensed by the department Source says: "A person may not engage in or offer to engage in the business of making deferred deposit loans unless licensed by the department." | Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | Greater of 15% or prime rate + 6 percentage points per year (written agreement); regulated lenders exempt Source says: "Parties may agree in writing to the payment of any rate of interest that does not exceed the greater of 15%" | Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal; deferred deposit lenders must be licensed; fee capped at 36% per annum Source says: "A licensee may not charge a fee for making or carrying each deferred deposit loan authorized by this part that exceeds 36% per annum" | Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer loan license required under the Montana Consumer Loan Act (32-5-101); licensing through NMLS Source says: "A consumer loan license is needed to engage in business as defined in the Montana Consumer Loan Act" | Montana Department of Administration, Division of Banking and Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions (BFID), Department of Administration Source says: "The Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions (Division) does all of its licensing through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS)." | Montana Department of Administration, Division of Banking and Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Hamilton
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Hamilton:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in Montana using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.