Peterstown at a glance
- Population: 449, the 156th-largest community in West Virginia out of 230 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 449 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: essentially flat from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: the 156th-largest of 230 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 32% of West Virginia places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 37.3990 / -80.7950, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Rich Creek, VA (2 mi); Narrows, VA (5 mi); Pearisburg, VA (6 mi); Pembroke, VA (10 mi); Athens, WV (12 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller places close by: Glen Lyn, VA (4 mi); Oakvale, WV (11 mi); Union, WV (19 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Peterstown
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
APR is the figure that lets you compare like with like, since it wraps fees into the rate; run your own numbers with the personal loan calculator.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Peterstown
The table carries the West Virginia rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Peterstown.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Peterstown
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Peterstown:
- 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.