Bolton at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 391 residents, ranking 448th of 549 places in North Carolina (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 394 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 0.8% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among North Carolina places: 448th of 549 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 18% of North Carolina places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 34.3174, -78.4014 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Lake Waccamaw, NC (6 mi); East Arcadia, NC (6 mi); Sandyfield, NC (7 mi); Northwest, NC (15 mi); Whiteville, NC (17 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller places close by: Sandy Creek, NC (14 mi); Atkinson, NC (20 mi); Bolivia, NC (22 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Bolton
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
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.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
North Carolina lending rules that apply in Bolton
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in North Carolina, and therefore in Bolton.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Bolton
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Bolton:
- 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.