Wilson at a glance
- Population: 47,833 — 23rd in North Carolina, which has 549 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 47,869 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 0.1% below the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among North Carolina places: 23rd of the state's 549 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 96% of places in North Carolina are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 35.7315, -77.9308.
- Nearest larger cities: Rocky Mount, NC (18 mi); Greenville, NC (33 mi); Wake Forest, NC (36 mi); Raleigh, NC (40 mi); Cary, NC (50 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller towns nearby: Elm City, NC (7 mi); Black Creek, NC (7 mi); Lucama, NC (7 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Wilson
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
Because the APR includes origination and finance charges, it is the honest comparison number; the personal loan calculator turns an APR and term into a monthly payment.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
North Carolina lending rules that apply in Wilson
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Wilson: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| 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 Wilson
Run through this list before signing anything in Wilson:
- 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.