Elk River at a glance
- Population: about 145 residents, ranking 179th of 197 Census places in Idaho (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 140 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a gain of roughly 3.6% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Idaho places: 179th of the state's 197 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 9% of the places in Idaho (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 46.7830, -116.1811 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Bovill, ID (11 mi); Deary, ID (18 mi); Orofino, ID (21 mi); Peck, ID (24 mi); Kendrick, ID (26 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller communities: Reubens, ID (36 mi); Tensed, ID (44 mi); Ferdinand, ID (45 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Elk River
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
Two loans can share an interest rate and still differ in APR once fees are counted, so compare APR; our personal loan calculator shows the difference over the full term.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Idaho lending rules that apply in Elk River
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| 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 Elk River
Run through this list before signing anything in Elk River:
- 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.