Bethel at a glance
- Population: 6,292 people, the 9th-largest place among Alaska's 149 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 6,321 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 0.5% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Alaska places: 9th in population of 149 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 94% of Alaska's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 60.7939, -161.7959 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: no bigger Census place sits within 120 miles.
- Nearest smaller towns: Napaskiak, AK (6 mi); Napakiak, AK (10 mi); Kwethluk, AK (12 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Bethel
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Alaska lending rules that apply in Bethel
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10.5% per annum default; by contract, the greater of 10% or 5 percentage points above the 12th Federal Reserve District advance rate (loans over $25,000 exempt) Source says: "The rate of interest in the state is 10.5 percent a year and no more on money after it is due"; "more than the greater of 10 percent or five percentage points above the annual rate charged member banks for advances by the 12th Federal Reserve District". | Alaska Legislature — Alaska Statutes § 45.45.010 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted — licensed deferred deposit advances; max $500 outstanding per borrower; origination fee ≤$5; fee ≤$15 per $100 or 15%; minimum 14-day term Source says: "may not make advances to an advance recipient that exceed $500 outstanding in advances to the recipient at one time"; "a fee that does not exceed $15 for each $100 of an advance, or 15 percent of the total amount of the advance". | Alaska Legislature — Alaska Statutes §§ 06.50.410, 06.50.460 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | License required from the department to make loans of $25,000 or less at above-legal rates; $25,000 liquid assets and $25,000 bond required Source says: "without first obtaining a license from the department"; "liquid assets of at least $25,000". | Alaska Legislature — Alaska Statutes §§ 06.20.010, 06.20.040 as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (Division of Banking and Securities) Source says: "department means the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development". The Division of Banking and Securities (commerce.alaska.gov/web/dbs) administers the department's lending license programs. | Alaska Legislature — Alaska Statutes § 06.50.900(5) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Bethel
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Bethel:
- 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 Alaska using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.