Clarion at a glance
- Population: 4,295, the 228th-largest community in Pennsylvania out of 1,013 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 3,931 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 9.3% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Pennsylvania places: 228th-largest of 1,013 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 77% of Pennsylvania places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 41.2094, -79.3801 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Oil City, PA (23 mi); Franklin, PA (26 mi); Punxsutawney, PA (28 mi); Sugarcreek, PA (28 mi); Titusville, PA (33 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller communities: Strattanville, PA (3 mi); Shippenville, PA (5 mi); Knox, PA (8 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Clarion
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
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.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Pennsylvania lending rules that apply in Clarion
The table lists the Pennsylvania rules that apply to a loan made in Clarion, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) Source says: "The Department of Banking and Securities regulates financial services in Pennsylvania." | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as of 2026-09-16 |
| Bank rate-cap exemption (state-specific rule) | Pennsylvania state-chartered banks are not subject to state interest-rate caps (Banking Code Sections 303/506 supersede the LIPL 6% cap). Source says: "Pennsylvania law does not impose any restrictions on the interest rate that Pennsylvania state-chartered banks may charge to customers." (DoBS interpretive letter, May 11, 2023). | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 6% per annum maximum for loans of $50,000 or less where no lower rate is contracted (41 P.S. 201(a)). Source says: "the maximum lawful rate of interest for the loan or use of money... shall be six per cent per annum" (Loan Interest and Protection Law, Section 201(a)). | Pennsylvania General Assembly (Laws of Pennsylvania, Act 6 of 1974) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | No separate payday-lending license; non-bank lenders are limited to 6% (unlicensed) or up to 24% (CDCA-licensed), so high-cost payday loans are not permitted. Source says: "if a lender is licensed by the Department in accord with the CDCA, it can charge between 6-24% on loans under $25,000" (DoBS interpretive letter, May 11, 2023). | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Discount Company Act license required for non-mortgage consumer loans above 6%; licensed lenders may charge up to 24% on loans of $25,000 or less. Source says: "A consumer discount company is a business corporation that negotiates or makes non-mortgage loans or advances of money on credit." | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Clarion
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Clarion:
- 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 Pennsylvania using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.