Personal loans in Russell, KY
The question that matters first in Russell, Kentucky is not the rate on offer but whether the payment leaves room in your budget. Russell is home to roughly 3,644 people and stands 97th by size out of 416 Census places in Kentucky. From the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate, the population declined by about 2.7%. Kentucky runs its own consumer-lending licensing through a state agency, and the sourced table on this page lists the figures that apply. Compare APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in most fees. Borrowers who want a bigger city can look to Flatwoods, KY about 1 miles away.
Borrowing in Russell: the local picture
Two layers matter for a Russell borrower: the local population picture and Kentucky's consumer-lending statutes.
- Population: about 3,644 people live here, which puts Russell 97th of 416 Census places in Kentucky (Vintage 2023).
- Population trend: A decline of about 2.7% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison.
- Size percentile: bigger than about 77% of the places in Kentucky.
- Location: 38.5130, -82.6960 (Census Gazetteer coordinates).
- Nearest larger cities: Flatwoods (1 mi); Ironton (2 mi); Ashland (5 mi); South Point (9 mi); Huntington (16 mi). A bigger neighbour may offer more branches; the rate you see still follows your credit, not your address.
- Smaller towns nearby: Bellefonte (1 mi); Raceland (3 mi); Worthington (3 mi).
What Kentucky law requires in Russell
Below are the Kentucky rules that reach a loan made in Russell, each with the regulator that issued it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (deferred deposit service business; payday loans) Source says: "The Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has secured the services of Veritec Solutions, LLC to provide a common database with real-time access for deferred deposit transactions". | Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Loan Company license required (KRS Chapter 286.4) Source says: "How to License a Consumer Loan Company: 1. Read KRS 286.4 and the applicable administrative regulations under KAR 808, Chapter 6". | Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) Source says: "The Department of Financial Institutions' mission is to serve Kentucky residents by promoting access to a stable financial industry, implementing effective and efficient regulatory oversight". | Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Consumer Loan Company license — statutory basis | License required from the commissioner to make loans at a greater rate of interest than otherwise permitted by law Source says: "No person shall, without first obtaining a license from the commissioner, engage in the business of making loans ... at a greater rate of interest". | Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (Kentucky Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | Up to 19% per annum, or 4% over the 90-day commercial-paper discount rate, whichever is less (by written agreement) Source says: "At a per annum rate not to exceed four percent (4%) in excess of the discount rate on ninety (90) day commercial paper ... or nineteen percent (19%), whichever is less". | Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (Kentucky Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
What a Russell personal loan looks like
A personal loan in Russell is an installment loan: a lump sum up front, repaid in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years. Most scoring models treat rate-shopping within a focused window as one inquiry, so comparing offers early is usually safe. If the payment would strain your budget, a smaller loan or a longer saving period is the safer route.
A pre-application checklist for Russell
Work through this short checklist before committing to a personal loan in Russell:
- Order your free credit reports and dispute anything inaccurate — it is the cheapest way to move the rate you are offered.
- Price the payment first with our personal loan calculator before any lender quotes you.
- Pre-qualify with three or more lenders, then compare the APR rather than the interest rate.
- Confirm the lender holds a Kentucky licence by checking the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for an origination fee and any prepayment penalty before signing.
Common questions
What are my options in Russell if my credit is poor?
What loan size can I expect in Russell?
Do I have to pledge anything to borrow in Russell?
Does comparing loans in Russell cost me credit score points?
Nearby places
- Bellefonte, KY — population 886
- Flatwoods, KY — population 7,227
- Ironton, OH — population 10,187
- Raceland, KY — population 2,301
- Worthington, KY — population 1,456
- Hanging Rock, OH — population 195
- Coal Grove, OH — population 1,827
- Ashland, KY — population 21,154