Jefferson at a glance
- Population: about 1,635, 276th by size in North Carolina of 549 places (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 1,627 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: up about 0.5% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among North Carolina places: 276th largest of 549 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 50% of North Carolina's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 36.4206, longitude -81.4683 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Boone, NC (18 mi); Mountain City, TN (19 mi); Sparta, NC (20 mi); North Wilkesboro, NC (25 mi); Wilkesboro, NC (25 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller communities: West Jefferson, NC (3 mi); Lansing, NC (6 mi); Troutdale, VA (19 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Jefferson
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
North Carolina lending rules that apply in Jefferson
The table carries the North Carolina rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Jefferson.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Finance Act license from the Commissioner of Banks required for loans of $25,000 or less charging more than Chapter 24 rates Source says: "Direct lenders seeking to charge rates higher than allowed under Chapter 24 on consumer term loans of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or less" | North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks (NCCOB) Source says: "Lenders operating under the CFA must be licensed by and are subject to regulation by the NCCOB." | North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| Consumer Finance Act installment loan rates (G.S. 53-176) | 33% per annum on unpaid balance up to $4,000; 24% on $4,000-$8,000; 18% on the remainder (loans up to $12,000); 18% for loans above $12,000 Source says: "thirty-three percent (33%) per annum on that part of the unpaid principal balance not exceeding four thousand dollars ($4,000)" | North Carolina General Assembly as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | For loans of $25,000 or less: greater of the 6-month U.S. Treasury bill rate + 6% or 16% (G.S. 24-1.1(c)); any agreed rate above $25,000 Source says: "plus six percent (6%), rounded upward or downward ... or sixteen percent (16%), whichever is greater" | North Carolina General Assembly as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Payday lenders shut down in North Carolina; online payday lending remains an enforcement target Source says: "Payday Lenders: Shut Down In NC, But Still Victimizing Borrowers Online" | North Carolina Department of Justice (Office of the Attorney General) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Jefferson
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Jefferson:
- 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 North Carolina using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.