St. James at a glance
- Population: roughly 7,443 people; 115th of 549 places in North Carolina (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 6,529 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 14.0% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among North Carolina places: 115th largest of 549 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 79% of places in North Carolina are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 33.9444, -78.1003.
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Oak Island, NC (2 mi); Leland, NC (19 mi); Wilmington, NC (22 mi); North Myrtle Beach, SC (36 mi); Myrtle Beach, SC (48 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller towns: Caswell Beach, NC (4 mi); Southport, NC (5 mi); Boiling Spring Lakes, NC (7 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in St. James
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
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.
Before you borrow, decide what the loan is for and whether the monthly payment fits a budget you can already meet without taking on new debt.
North Carolina lending rules that apply in St. James
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in St. James
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in St. James:
- 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.