Piedmont at a glance
- Population: 701, the 125th-largest community in West Virginia out of 230 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 716 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 2.1% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 125th of 230 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: roughly 46% of places in West Virginia rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 39.4778, -79.0465 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Westernport, MD (1 mi); Keyser, WV (4 mi); Lonaconing, MD (7 mi); Frostburg, MD (14 mi); Grantsville, MD (16 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller towns: Luke, MD (1 mi); Barton, MD (4 mi); Elk Garden, WV (9 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Piedmont
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
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.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Piedmont
The table carries the West Virginia rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Piedmont.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Piedmont
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Piedmont:
- 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.