Virginia City at a glance
- Population: about 242, 98th by size in Montana of 127 places (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 218 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 11.0% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Montana places: 98th out of 127 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 23% of Montana's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 45.2962 / -111.9369, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Ennis, MT (11 mi); Sheridan, MT (17 mi); Twin Bridges, MT (26 mi); Dillon, MT (34 mi); Whitehall, MT (40 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller towns nearby: Lima, MT (56 mi); Island Park, ID (60 mi); Spencer, ID (65 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Virginia City
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.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
Montana lending rules that apply in Virginia City
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Montana, and therefore in Virginia City.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions (BFID), Department of Administration Source says: "The Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions (Division) does all of its licensing through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS)." | Montana Department of Administration, Division of Banking and Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Deferred deposit loan license requirement (MCA 31-1-705) | A person may not engage in or offer to engage in the business of making deferred deposit loans unless licensed by the department Source says: "A person may not engage in or offer to engage in the business of making deferred deposit loans unless licensed by the department." | Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | Greater of 15% or prime rate + 6 percentage points per year (written agreement); regulated lenders exempt Source says: "Parties may agree in writing to the payment of any rate of interest that does not exceed the greater of 15%" | Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal; deferred deposit lenders must be licensed; fee capped at 36% per annum Source says: "A licensee may not charge a fee for making or carrying each deferred deposit loan authorized by this part that exceeds 36% per annum" | Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer loan license required under the Montana Consumer Loan Act (32-5-101); licensing through NMLS Source says: "A consumer loan license is needed to engage in business as defined in the Montana Consumer Loan Act" | Montana Department of Administration, Division of Banking and Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Virginia City
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Virginia City:
- 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 Montana using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.