Thomas at a glance
- Population: about 602 residents, ranking 139th of 230 Census places in West Virginia (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 607 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 0.8% below the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 139th of the state's 230 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 40% of West Virginia's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 39.1532 / -79.4933, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Parsons, WV (11 mi); Mountain Lake Park, MD (18 mi); Oakland, MD (19 mi); Terra Alta, WV (20 mi); Petersburg, WV (22 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller communities: Davis, WV (2 mi); Hendricks, WV (9 mi); Hambleton, WV (10 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Thomas
Personal loans are closed-end installment debt, so the monthly payment and the payoff date are known from the start.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
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 Thomas
The table carries the West Virginia rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Thomas.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Thomas
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Thomas:
- 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.