Monongah at a glance
- Population: 1,039 — 98th in West Virginia, which has 230 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 967 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a gain of roughly 7.4% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 98th of 230 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 57% of West Virginia's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 39.4583 / -80.2208, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Pleasant Valley, WV (4 mi); Fairmont, WV (4 mi); Barrackville, WV (4 mi); Shinnston, WV (6 mi); Mannington, WV (8 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller communities: Worthington, WV (2 mi); White Hall, WV (3 mi); Farmington, WV (4 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Monongah
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
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.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Monongah
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in West Virginia, and therefore in Monongah.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 31% per year on unsecured loans of $3,500 or less; 27% on $3,500–$15,000; 18% above $15,000 (W. Va. Code § 46A-4-107) Source says: the loan finance charge, calculated according to the actuarial method, may not exceed 31 percent per year | West Virginia Legislature (West Virginia Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Traditional payday lending is generally prohibited; check cashers are regulated under W. Va. Code ch. 32A Source says: Traditional "Payday Lenders" are generally prohibited within this state. | West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions (WV DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated consumer lender license required from the Commissioner (W. Va. Code § 46A-4-101) Source says: Unless a person has first obtained a license from the commissioner authorizing the person to make regulated consumer loans | West Virginia Legislature (West Virginia Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions (WV DFI) Source says: The West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions is charged with the regulation and supervision of financial institutions chartered by the State of West Virginia. | West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions (WV DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Monongah
Before you commit to a personal loan in Monongah, work through these steps:
- 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 West Virginia using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.