West Hamlin at a glance
- Population: 500 people, the 149th-largest place among West Virginia's 230 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 523 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 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: 149th in population of 230 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 35% of West Virginia places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 38.2849, -82.1978 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Hamlin, WV (5 mi); Barboursville, WV (10 mi); Milton, WV (11 mi); Wayne, WV (14 mi); Hurricane, WV (14 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller towns: Athalia, OH (17 mi); Crown City, OH (22 mi); Bancroft, WV (25 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in West Hamlin
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
Because the APR includes origination and finance charges, it is the honest comparison number; the personal loan calculator turns an APR and term into a monthly payment.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
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 West Hamlin
Each row below is a West Virginia rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| 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 West Hamlin
Before you commit to a personal loan in West Hamlin, 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.