Ranson at a glance
- Population: about 5,699, 23rd by size in West Virginia of 230 places (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 5,435 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 4.9% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 23rd in population of 230 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 90% of places in West Virginia are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 39.3101 latitude, -77.8830 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Charles Town, WV (3 mi); Martinsburg, WV (11 mi); Brunswick, MD (14 mi); Purcellville, VA (15 mi); Winchester, VA (18 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Smaller places close by: Bolivar, WV (7 mi); Harpers Ferry, WV (8 mi); Shepherdstown, WV (9 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Ranson
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.
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.
Lenders weigh your credit history, income and debts when they set the rate, and the term you choose then determines how that rate compounds into total cost.
Before you borrow, decide what the loan is for and whether the monthly payment fits a budget you can already meet without taking on new debt.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Ranson
The table lists the West Virginia rules that apply to a loan made in Ranson, each with the regulator that published it.
| 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 Ranson
Before you commit to a personal loan in Ranson, work through these steps:
- 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.