Terra Alta at a glance
- Population: 1,413 residents, the 77th-largest of 230 places in West Virginia (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 1,423 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 0.7% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 77th of the state's 230 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 67% of West Virginia's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 39.4443, -79.5436 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Kingwood, WV (8 mi); Oakland, MD (8 mi); Mountain Lake Park, MD (9 mi); Morgantown, WV (25 mi); Grafton, WV (26 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller communities: Albright, WV (6 mi); Rowlesburg, WV (10 mi); Loch Lynn Heights, MD (10 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Terra Alta
Personal loans are closed-end installment debt, so the monthly payment and the payoff date are known from the start.
APR, not the simple interest rate, reflects what the loan actually costs once fees are included; the personal loan calculator puts a figure on it.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
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 Terra Alta
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Terra Alta: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| 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 Terra Alta
Run through this list before signing anything in Terra Alta:
- 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.