Westhope at a glance
- Population: 374 — 107th in North Dakota, which has 355 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 380 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 1.6% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among North Dakota places: 107th-largest of 355 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 70% of the places in North Dakota (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 48.9112, longitude -101.0177 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Mohall, ND (25 mi); Bottineau, ND (27 mi); Glenburn, ND (29 mi); Dunseith, ND (44 mi); Surrey, ND (46 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller towns: Landa, ND (5 mi); Antler, ND (13 mi); Maxbass, ND (14 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Westhope
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
North Dakota lending rules that apply in Westhope
The table lists the North Dakota rules that apply to a loan made in Westhope, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions (NDDFI) Source says: "The Department also licenses and regulates Money Brokers... Deferred Presentment Service Providers (Payday Lenders), Collection Agencies, Debt Settlement Service Providers, and Money Transmitters." | North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Usury penalties (state-specific rule) | Usury forfeits all interest plus 25% of principal; charging usurious interest is a class B misdemeanor. Source says: "shall be deemed a forfeiture of the entire interest" and "a forfeiture of twenty-five percent of the principal" (N.D.C.C. 47-14-10); usury is a class B misdemeanor (47-14-11). | North Dakota Legislative Branch as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | Formula ceiling: 6-month U.S. Treasury bill average + 5.5 percentage points, never less than 7%; NDDFI-published rate for September 2026: 9.204%. Source says: "The rate is equal to five and one-half percent (5.5%) higher than the current cost of money" and "the maximum allowable interest rate ceiling may not be less than seven (7) percent" (NDDFI Usury Rate page; September 2026 rate 9.204%). | North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal for licensed deferred presentment service providers; fee capped at 20% of amount advanced; max $500 per transaction; $600 aggregate outstanding per customer. Source says: "A licensee may charge a fee for the deferred presentment service, not to exceed twenty percent of the amount paid to the customer" (N.D.C.C. 13-08-12); "may not disburse more than five hundred dollars to the customer in a deferred presentment service transaction" (13-08-12.3). | North Dakota Legislative Branch as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Money broker license required to engage in money brokering (arranging/providing loans); issued by the commissioner of financial institutions. Source says: "may not engage in money brokering in the state of North Dakota without a money broker license issued by the commissioner" (N.D.C.C. 13-04.1-02). | North Dakota Legislative Branch as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Westhope
Before you share your details with a lender in Westhope:
- 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 North Dakota using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.