Ranchester at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 1,168, placing it 39th among Wyoming's 99 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 1,061 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: up roughly 10.1% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wyoming places: 39th of the state's 99 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 61% of Wyoming's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 44.9076, -107.1673 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Sheridan, WY (13 mi); Buffalo, WY (45 mi); Greybull, WY (52 mi); Basin, WY (57 mi); Lovell, WY (60 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller communities: Dayton, WY (5 mi); Lodge Grass, MT (30 mi); Clearmont, WY (43 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Ranchester
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
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.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Wyoming lending rules that apply in Ranchester
The table lists the Wyoming rules that apply to a loan made in Ranchester, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 36% per year on unpaid principal balances up to $1,000; 21% above $1,000 (Wyo. Stat. § 40-14-310(g)) Source says: shall not exceed the equivalent of thirty-six percent (36%) per year on that part of the unpaid balances of the principal | Wyoming Legislature (Wyoming Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal with a post-dated check casher license; finance charge capped at the greater of $30 or 20% per month; max term 1 month (Wyo. Stat. § 40-14-363) Source says: No post-dated check finance charge shall exceed the greater of thirty dollars ($30.00) or twenty percent (20%) per month on the principal balance | Wyoming Legislature (Wyoming Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Lender, Sales Finance Company, Post-Dated Check Casher, and Pawnbroker licenses via NMLS; licensing mandatory per location including online Source says: Licensing is mandatory for every location where business is regularly conducted | Wyoming Division of Banking as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Wyoming Division of Banking Source says: The Division is responsible for the chartering and regulation of Wyoming state banks, trust companies, mortgage companies, as well as non-bank financial companies. | Wyoming Division of Banking as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Ranchester
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Ranchester:
- 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 Wyoming using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.