St. Pauls at a glance
- Population: about 2,056 residents, ranking 255th of 549 Census places in North Carolina (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 2,051 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 0.2% growth over the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among North Carolina places: 255th-largest of 549 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: roughly 54% of places in North Carolina rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 34.8092, -78.9766 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Hope Mills, NC (11 mi); Red Springs, NC (12 mi); Lumberton, NC (13 mi); Pembroke, NC (15 mi); Raeford, NC (19 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Smaller towns nearby: Rennert, NC (6 mi); Parkton, NC (7 mi); Lumber Bridge, NC (8 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in St. Pauls
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
North Carolina lending rules that apply in St. Pauls
The table carries the North Carolina rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in St. Pauls.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in St. Pauls
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in St. Pauls:
- 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.