Ryegate at a glance
- Population: 225 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 100th-largest of 127 places in Montana.
- 2020 Census base: 223 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a gain of roughly 0.9% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Montana places: 100th of the state's 127 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 21% of places in Montana rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 46.2984, -109.2537 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Harlowton, MT (29 mi); Roundup, MT (36 mi); Columbus, MT (46 mi); Big Timber, MT (46 mi); Billings, MT (49 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller places: Lavina, MT (15 mi); Broadview, MT (23 mi); Judith Gap, MT (35 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Ryegate
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
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 payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Montana lending rules that apply in Ryegate
The table carries the Montana rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Ryegate.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Ryegate
Before you commit to a personal loan in Ryegate, 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 Montana using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.