Stuart at a glance
- Population: 1,426 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 114th-largest of 227 places in Virginia.
- 2020 Census base: 1,438 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 0.8% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Virginia places: 114th in population of 227 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 50% of Virginia's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 36.6404, -80.2686.
- Nearest larger cities: Pilot Mountain, NC (21 mi); Mount Airy, NC (21 mi); Mayodan, NC (22 mi); Martinsville, VA (23 mi); Madison, NC (24 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Nearest smaller communities: Danbury, NC (16 mi); Floyd, VA (19 mi); Ridgeway, VA (23 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Stuart
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
Two loans can share an interest rate and still differ in APR once fees are counted, so compare APR; our personal loan calculator shows the difference over the full term.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Virginia lending rules that apply in Stuart
The table lists the Virginia rules that apply to a loan made in Stuart, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer finance license required from the State Corporation Commission (Va. Code § 6.2-1501) Source says: No person shall engage in the business of making loans to individuals for personal, family, household, or other nonbusiness purposes | Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Financial Institutions (BFI) Source says: The Bureau of Financial Institutions (BFI) is a regulatory division of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC.) | Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per year maximum contract rate, except as otherwise permitted by law (Va. Code § 6.2-303) Source says: no contract shall be made for the payment of interest on a loan at a rate that exceeds 12 percent per year | Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal via licensed short-term lenders; interest capped at a 36% simple annual rate plus limited fees (Va. Code § 6.2-1817) Source says: Interest at a simple annual rate not to exceed 36 percent | Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Stuart
Before you share your details with a lender in Stuart:
- 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 Virginia using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.