Gustavus at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 612, placing it 45th among Alaska's 149 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 656 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 6.7% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Alaska places: 45th-largest of 149 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 70% of Alaska's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 58.4347 / -135.7282, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Hoonah, AK (24 mi); Juneau city and, AK (56 mi); Sitka city and, AK (87 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller communities: Pelican, AK (37 mi); Tenakee Springs, AK (50 mi); Angoon, AK (83 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Gustavus
A personal loan is an installment loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years.
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.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Alaska lending rules that apply in Gustavus
The table lists the Alaska rules that apply to a loan made in Gustavus, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | License required from the department to make loans of $25,000 or less at above-legal rates; $25,000 liquid assets and $25,000 bond required Source says: "without first obtaining a license from the department"; "liquid assets of at least $25,000". | Alaska Legislature — Alaska Statutes §§ 06.20.010, 06.20.040 as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (Division of Banking and Securities) Source says: "department means the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development". The Division of Banking and Securities (commerce.alaska.gov/web/dbs) administers the department's lending license programs. | Alaska Legislature — Alaska Statutes § 06.50.900(5) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10.5% per annum default; by contract, the greater of 10% or 5 percentage points above the 12th Federal Reserve District advance rate (loans over $25,000 exempt) Source says: "The rate of interest in the state is 10.5 percent a year and no more on money after it is due"; "more than the greater of 10 percent or five percentage points above the annual rate charged member banks for advances by the 12th Federal Reserve District". | Alaska Legislature — Alaska Statutes § 45.45.010 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted — licensed deferred deposit advances; max $500 outstanding per borrower; origination fee ≤$5; fee ≤$15 per $100 or 15%; minimum 14-day term Source says: "may not make advances to an advance recipient that exceed $500 outstanding in advances to the recipient at one time"; "a fee that does not exceed $15 for each $100 of an advance, or 15 percent of the total amount of the advance". | Alaska Legislature — Alaska Statutes §§ 06.50.410, 06.50.460 as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Gustavus
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Gustavus:
- 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 Alaska using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.