Paw Paw at a glance
- Population: 410 — 161st in West Virginia, which has 230 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 412 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 0.5% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 161st out of 230 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 30% of West Virginia's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 39.5314, -78.4553.
- Nearest larger cities: Bath (Berkeley Springs), WV (14 mi); Capon Bridge, WV (16 mi); Cumberland, MD (18 mi); Ridgeley, WV (19 mi); Carpendale, WV (19 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Smaller places nearby: Hedgesville, WV (25 mi); Wellersburg, PA (25 mi); Rainsburg, PA (25 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in Paw Paw
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
Because the APR includes origination and finance charges, it is the honest comparison number; the personal loan calculator turns an APR and term into a monthly payment.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Paw Paw
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in West Virginia, and therefore in Paw Paw.
| 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 Paw Paw
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Paw Paw:
- 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.