Winifred at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 174, placing it 108th among Montana's 127 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 170 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 2.4% higher than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Montana places: 108th by size among 127 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 15% of places in Montana rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 47.5621, longitude -109.3773 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Denton, MT (31 mi); Lewistown, MT (35 mi); Geraldine, MT (42 mi); Moore, MT (43 mi); Hobson, MT (45 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Grass Range, MT (46 mi); Judith Gap, MT (64 mi); Neihart, MT (77 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Winifred
A personal loan is an installment loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years.
Compare offers on APR rather than the headline rate — the APR includes most fees, and you can model the total with our 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 Winifred
Every figure in the table below is sourced to a publisher with a date; where a state does not publish a number, we say so rather than estimate.
| 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 Winifred
Run through this list before signing anything in Winifred:
- 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.