Murray at a glance
- Population: 18,086 — 22nd in Kentucky, which has 416 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 17,752 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 1.9% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Kentucky places: 22nd out of 416 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 95% of Kentucky places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 36.6142, -88.3221.
- Nearest larger cities: Paducah, KY (36 mi); Hopkinsville, KY (49 mi); Clarksville, TN (54 mi); Madisonville, KY (68 mi); Jackson, TN (72 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller towns nearby: Hazel, KY (8 mi); Hardin, KY (10 mi); Puryear, TN (12 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Murray
A personal loan is an installment loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years.
Compare offers on APR rather than the headline rate — the APR includes most fees, and you can model the total with our personal loan calculator.
A lender weighs your credit profile, income and debts when setting the rate, and a longer term lowers the payment at the cost of more interest overall.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Kentucky lending rules that apply in Murray
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Murray: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | Up to 19% per annum, or 4% over the 90-day commercial-paper discount rate, whichever is less (by written agreement) Source says: "At a per annum rate not to exceed four percent (4%) in excess of the discount rate on ninety (90) day commercial paper ... or nineteen percent (19%), whichever is less". | Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (Kentucky Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (deferred deposit service business; payday loans) Source says: "The Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has secured the services of Veritec Solutions, LLC to provide a common database with real-time access for deferred deposit transactions". | Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Loan Company license required (KRS Chapter 286.4) Source says: "How to License a Consumer Loan Company: 1. Read KRS 286.4 and the applicable administrative regulations under KAR 808, Chapter 6". | Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) Source says: "The Department of Financial Institutions' mission is to serve Kentucky residents by promoting access to a stable financial industry, implementing effective and efficient regulatory oversight". | Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Consumer Loan Company license — statutory basis | License required from the commissioner to make loans at a greater rate of interest than otherwise permitted by law Source says: "No person shall, without first obtaining a license from the commissioner, engage in the business of making loans ... at a greater rate of interest". | Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (Kentucky Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Murray
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Murray:
- 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 Kentucky using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.