Ellwood City at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 7,454 residents, ranking 114th of 1,013 places in Pennsylvania (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 7,636 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 2.4% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Pennsylvania places: the 114th-largest of 1,013 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: about 89% of places in Pennsylvania are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 40.8620, -80.2829 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Beaver Falls, PA (7 mi); New Castle, PA (10 mi); Economy, PA (16 mi); Aliquippa, PA (17 mi); Butler, PA (20 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller places nearby: Ellport, PA (1 mi); Koppel, PA (3 mi); Wampum, PA (3 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in Ellwood City
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
Before you borrow, decide what the loan is for and whether the monthly payment fits a budget you can already meet without taking on new debt.
Pennsylvania lending rules that apply in Ellwood City
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Pennsylvania, and therefore in Ellwood City.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | No separate payday-lending license; non-bank lenders are limited to 6% (unlicensed) or up to 24% (CDCA-licensed), so high-cost payday loans are not permitted. Source says: "if a lender is licensed by the Department in accord with the CDCA, it can charge between 6-24% on loans under $25,000" (DoBS interpretive letter, May 11, 2023). | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Discount Company Act license required for non-mortgage consumer loans above 6%; licensed lenders may charge up to 24% on loans of $25,000 or less. Source says: "A consumer discount company is a business corporation that negotiates or makes non-mortgage loans or advances of money on credit." | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) Source says: "The Department of Banking and Securities regulates financial services in Pennsylvania." | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as of 2026-09-16 |
| Bank rate-cap exemption (state-specific rule) | Pennsylvania state-chartered banks are not subject to state interest-rate caps (Banking Code Sections 303/506 supersede the LIPL 6% cap). Source says: "Pennsylvania law does not impose any restrictions on the interest rate that Pennsylvania state-chartered banks may charge to customers." (DoBS interpretive letter, May 11, 2023). | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 6% per annum maximum for loans of $50,000 or less where no lower rate is contracted (41 P.S. 201(a)). Source says: "the maximum lawful rate of interest for the loan or use of money... shall be six per cent per annum" (Loan Interest and Protection Law, Section 201(a)). | Pennsylvania General Assembly (Laws of Pennsylvania, Act 6 of 1974) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Ellwood City
Before you share your details with a lender in Ellwood City:
- 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 Pennsylvania using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.