St. Albans at a glance
- Population: 10,387 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 13th-largest of 230 places in West Virginia.
- 2020 Census base: 10,865 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 4.4% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 13th of the state's 230 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 94% of West Virginia's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 38.3776, -81.8193.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): South Charleston, WV (6 mi); Charleston, WV (10 mi); Huntington, WV (33 mi); Ashland, KY (45 mi); Beckley, WV (55 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller places close by: Nitro, WV (2 mi); Dunbar, WV (5 mi); Poca, WV (7 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in St. Albans
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.
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 St. Albans
The West Virginia rate caps and licensing rules that reach St. Albans are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| 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 St. Albans
Run through this list before signing anything in St. Albans:
- 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.