Donora at a glance
- Population: 4,500 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 218th-largest of 1,013 places in Pennsylvania.
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 4,565 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 1.4% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Pennsylvania places: 218th by size among 1,013 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 78% of places in Pennsylvania rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 40.1795, -79.8624 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Monessen, PA (2 mi); Clairton, PA (8 mi); California, PA (8 mi); Jefferson Hills, PA (9 mi); McKeesport, PA (11 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller places: North Charleroi, PA (3 mi); Monongahela, PA (3 mi); North Belle Vernon, PA (3 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Donora
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
A lender weighs your credit profile, income and debts when setting the rate, and a longer term lowers the payment at the cost of more interest overall.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
Pennsylvania lending rules that apply in Donora
Each row below is a Pennsylvania rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Donora
Before you commit to a personal loan in Donora, work through these steps:
- 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.