Paden City at a glance
- Population: 2,408, the 50th-largest community in West Virginia out of 230 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 2,543 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 5.3% below the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 50th of the state's 230 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 78% of places in West Virginia rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 39.6030, longitude -80.9354 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): New Martinsville, WV (5 mi); Moundsville, WV (24 mi); Shadyside, OH (27 mi); Barnesville, OH (30 mi); Marietta, OH (30 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller towns: Sistersville, WV (5 mi); Middlebourne, WV (8 mi); Antioch, OH (8 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Paden City
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.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Paden City
The table carries the West Virginia rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Paden City.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Paden City
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Paden City:
- 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.