Clark Fork at a glance
- Population: 561 people, the 118th-largest place among Idaho's 197 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 517 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 8.5% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Idaho places: 118th in population of 197 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 40% of Idaho places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 48.1480, -116.1730 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Kootenai, ID (19 mi); Ponderay, ID (20 mi); Sandpoint, ID (20 mi); Dover, ID (22 mi); Troy, MT (25 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller towns: East Hope, ID (8 mi); Hope, ID (9 mi); Oldtown, ID (39 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Clark Fork
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
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 Clark Fork
Every figure in the table below is sourced to a publisher with a date; where a state does not publish a number, we say so rather than estimate.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Clark Fork
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Clark Fork:
- 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.