Manhattan at a glance
- Population: 2,109 — 34th in Montana, which has 127 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 2,085 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 1.2% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Montana places: 34th in population of 127 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 73% of Montana's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 45.8586 latitude, -111.3303 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Belgrade, MT (9 mi); Bozeman, MT (18 mi); Townsend, MT (33 mi); Livingston, MT (40 mi); East Helena, MT (58 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Three Forks, MT (11 mi); Clyde Park, MT (35 mi); Whitehall, MT (37 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Manhattan
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
Because the APR includes origination and finance charges, it is the honest comparison number; the personal loan calculator turns an APR and term into a monthly payment.
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.
If you are consolidating debt, the loan only helps if you stop adding to the balances it clears; otherwise the total debt grows.
Montana lending rules that apply in Manhattan
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Montana, and therefore in Manhattan.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Manhattan
Before you share your details with a lender in Manhattan:
- 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.