Sophia at a glance
- Population: 1,082 people, the 96th-largest place among West Virginia's 230 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 1,129 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 4.2% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 96th of the state's 230 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 58% of the places in West Virginia (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 37.7073, longitude -81.2536 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Mabscott, WV (5 mi); Beckley, WV (7 mi); Mullens, WV (11 mi); Mount Hope, WV (14 mi); Oak Hill, WV (19 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller places: Lester, WV (3 mi); Pax, WV (14 mi); Pineville, WV (18 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Sophia
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
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.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Sophia
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| 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 Sophia
Run through this list before signing anything in Sophia:
- 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.