Fries at a glance
- Population: 444 residents, the 177th-largest of 227 places in Virginia (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 449 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 1.1% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Virginia places: 177th out of 227 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: larger than about 22% of the Census places in Virginia (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 36.7141, -80.9750.
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Galax, VA (5 mi); Independence, VA (11 mi); Hillsville, VA (14 mi); Sparta, NC (17 mi); Wytheville, VA (18 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller places: Troutdale, VA (26 mi); Lansing, NC (33 mi); Ronda, NC (34 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Fries
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
APR is the figure that lets you compare like with like, since it wraps fees into the rate; run your own numbers with the personal loan calculator.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Virginia lending rules that apply in Fries
The Virginia rate caps and licensing rules that reach Fries are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | Legal via licensed short-term lenders; interest capped at a 36% simple annual rate plus limited fees (Va. Code § 6.2-1817) Source says: Interest at a simple annual rate not to exceed 36 percent | Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer finance license required from the State Corporation Commission (Va. Code § 6.2-1501) Source says: No person shall engage in the business of making loans to individuals for personal, family, household, or other nonbusiness purposes | Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Financial Institutions (BFI) Source says: The Bureau of Financial Institutions (BFI) is a regulatory division of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC.) | Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per year maximum contract rate, except as otherwise permitted by law (Va. Code § 6.2-303) Source says: no contract shall be made for the payment of interest on a loan at a rate that exceeds 12 percent per year | Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Fries
Before you commit to a personal loan in Fries, 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 Virginia using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.