Thompson Falls at a glance
- Population: about 1,472, 46th by size in Montana of 127 places (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 1,334 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: a gain of roughly 10.3% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Montana places: 46th by size among 127 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 64% of Montana's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 47.5993, -115.3425 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Osburn, ID (31 mi); Kellogg, ID (37 mi); Pinehurst, ID (42 mi); Libby, MT (55 mi); Polson, MT (56 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller communities: Mullan, ID (23 mi); Plains, MT (23 mi); Wallace, ID (28 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Thompson Falls
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
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.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
If you are consolidating debt, the loan only helps if you stop adding to the balances it clears; otherwise the total debt grows.
Montana lending rules that apply in Thompson Falls
The table lists the Montana rules that apply to a loan made in Thompson Falls, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Thompson Falls
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Thompson Falls:
- 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.