Baker at a glance
- Population: about 1,800 residents, ranking 40th of 127 Census places in Montana (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 1,799 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 0.1% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Montana places: 40th out of 127 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 69% of Montana's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 46.3649, -104.2733 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Glendive, MT (55 mi); Miles City, MT (75 mi); Dickinson, ND (79 mi); Sidney, MT (93 mi); Watford City, ND (110 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller communities: Plevna, MT (12 mi); Marmarth, ND (17 mi); Ismay, MT (26 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Baker
With an installment loan the payment is fixed for the life of the loan, so the schedule is predictable from the first month to the last.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Montana lending rules that apply in Baker
Every figure in the table below is sourced to a publisher with a date; where a state does not publish a number, we say so rather than estimate.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Baker
Before you share your details with a lender in Baker:
- 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.