Fairview at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 866, placing it 61st among Montana's 127 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 896 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 3.3% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Montana places: 61st out of 127 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 52% of places in Montana rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 47.8520 / -104.0509, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Sidney, MT (11 mi); Williston, ND (30 mi); Watford City, ND (37 mi); Glendive, MT (60 mi); Tioga, ND (63 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Alexander, ND (19 mi); Bainville, MT (22 mi); Arnegard, ND (28 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Fairview
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 advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Montana lending rules that apply in Fairview
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Fairview: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Fairview
Before you commit to a personal loan in Fairview, 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 Montana using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.