Oak Hill at a glance
- Population: 7,849 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 16th-largest of 230 places in West Virginia.
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 8,177 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 4.0% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 16th in population of 230 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: larger than about 93% of the Census places in West Virginia (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 37.9748, -81.1571 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Beckley, WV (14 mi); Charleston, WV (37 mi); South Charleston, WV (39 mi); St. Albans, WV (45 mi); Bluefield, WV (49 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller towns: Thurmond, WV (4 mi); Mount Hope, WV (5 mi); Fayetteville, WV (7 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Oak Hill
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.
APR, not the simple interest rate, reflects what the loan actually costs once fees are included; the personal loan calculator puts a figure on it.
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.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Oak Hill
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| 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 Oak Hill
A few practical steps will make the process in Oak Hill less costly:
- 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.