Mount Carmel at a glance
- Population: 5,635 people, the 162nd-largest place among Pennsylvania's 1,013 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 5,732 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 1.7% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Pennsylvania places: 162nd-largest of 1,013 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 84% of Pennsylvania places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 40.7959, -76.4120 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Shamokin, PA (7 mi); Pottsville, PA (13 mi); Bloomsburg, PA (14 mi); Berwick, PA (20 mi); Sunbury, PA (20 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller communities: Marion Heights, PA (3 mi); Kulpmont, PA (3 mi); Centralia, PA (4 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Mount Carmel
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 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-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Pennsylvania lending rules that apply in Mount Carmel
Each row below is a Pennsylvania rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Mount Carmel
Before you commit to a personal loan in Mount Carmel, 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.