Cascade at a glance
- Population: 1,012, the 86th-largest community in Idaho out of 197 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 993 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 1.9% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Idaho places: 86th out of 197 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 56% of places in Idaho rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 44.5088, -116.0436 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: McCall, ID (28 mi); Weiser, ID (49 mi); Emmett, ID (49 mi); Payette, ID (53 mi); New Plymouth, ID (53 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller places: Donnelly, ID (16 mi); Council, ID (25 mi); Crouch, ID (27 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Cascade
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
Compare offers on APR rather than the headline rate — the APR includes most fees, and you can model the total with our personal loan calculator.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Idaho lending rules that apply in Cascade
Each row below is a Idaho rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per annum legal rate (when no written contract fixes a different rate) Source says: "interest is allowed at the rate of twelve cents (12¢) on the hundred by the year". | Idaho State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (payday loan license required) Source says: "No person shall engage in the business of payday loans ... without having first obtained a license under this chapter". | Idaho State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated Lenders License required (regulated consumer loans) Source says: "unless a person is exempt ... he shall not engage in the business of: (a) Making regulated consumer loans". | Idaho State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Idaho Department of Finance (IDOF) Source says: "Safeguarding the financial health of Idahoans through the appropriate oversight of diverse financial institutions, the education and protection of consumers". | Idaho Department of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Idaho Credit Code finance-charge rule | No statutory maximum finance-charge rate — rate as agreed by the parties (Idaho Credit Code) Source says: "the rate of finance charge shall be that which is agreed upon between the parties to the transaction". | Idaho State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Cascade
Run through this list before signing anything in Cascade:
- 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 Idaho using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.