South Fork at a glance
- Population: about 922 residents, ranking 617th of 1,013 Census places in Pennsylvania (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 946 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 2.5% below the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Pennsylvania places: 617th out of 1,013 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 39% of places in Pennsylvania rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 40.3620 latitude, -78.7896 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: East Conemaugh, PA (5 mi); Portage, PA (6 mi); Geistown, PA (6 mi); Dale, PA (7 mi); Johnstown, PA (7 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller towns: Ehrenfeld, PA (1 mi); Summerhill, PA (2 mi); Wilmore, PA (4 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in South Fork
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.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Pennsylvania lending rules that apply in South Fork
The table carries the Pennsylvania rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in South Fork.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in South Fork
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in South Fork:
- 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.