Belle at a glance
- Population: 1,106 — 95th in West Virginia, which has 230 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 1,159 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 4.6% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 95th-largest of 230 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 59% of West Virginia's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 38.2354, -81.5367 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Chesapeake, WV (1 mi); Marmet, WV (2 mi); Charleston, WV (9 mi); South Charleston, WV (12 mi); Montgomery, WV (13 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Smaller towns nearby: East Bank, WV (5 mi); Cedar Grove, WV (5 mi); Glasgow, WV (7 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Belle
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.
Two loans can share an interest rate and still differ in APR once fees are counted, so compare APR; our personal loan calculator shows the difference over the full term.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Belle
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Belle
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Belle:
- 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.