Jamestown at a glance
- Population: 15,691 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 9th-largest of 355 places in North Dakota.
- 2020 Census base: 15,847 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 1.0% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among North Dakota places: 9th-largest of 355 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 97% of North Dakota places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 46.9059, -98.6936 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: West Fargo, ND (85 mi); Fargo, ND (88 mi); Moorhead, MN (92 mi); Bismarck, ND (98 mi); Aberdeen, SD (100 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Smaller towns nearby: Buchanan, ND (13 mi); Spiritwood Lake, ND (13 mi); Montpelier, ND (15 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Jamestown
Personal loans are closed-end installment debt, so the monthly payment and the payoff date are known from the start.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
A lender weighs your credit profile, income and debts when setting the rate, and a longer term lowers the payment at the cost of more interest overall.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
North Dakota lending rules that apply in Jamestown
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in North Dakota, and therefore in Jamestown.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Jamestown
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Jamestown:
- 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.