Fairfield at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 540, placing it 752nd among Pennsylvania's 1,013 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 531 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 1.7% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Pennsylvania places: 752nd by size among 1,013 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 26% of Pennsylvania's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 39.7890, longitude -77.3698 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Carroll Valley, PA (3 mi); Emmitsburg, MD (6 mi); Gettysburg, PA (8 mi); Arendtsville, PA (10 mi); Mont Alto, PA (10 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller towns: Orrstown, PA (23 mi); Newburg, PA (26 mi); Wellsville, PA (29 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Fairfield
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
Because the APR includes origination and finance charges, it is the honest comparison number; the personal loan calculator turns an APR and term into a monthly payment.
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.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Pennsylvania lending rules that apply in Fairfield
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Fairfield: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Fairfield
A few practical steps will make the process in Fairfield less costly:
- 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.