Kobuk at a glance
- Population: 174, the 107th-largest community in Alaska out of 149 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 186 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 6.5% below the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Alaska places: 107th of the state's 149 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 28% of the places in Alaska (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 66.9170, -156.9145 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Shungnak, AK (7 mi); Ambler, AK (29 mi); Huslia, AK (86 mi); Selawik, AK (87 mi); Kiana, AK (95 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller places: Hughes, AK (95 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Kobuk
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
If you are consolidating debt, the loan only helps if you stop adding to the balances it clears; otherwise the total debt grows.
Alaska lending rules that apply in Kobuk
The Alaska rate caps and licensing rules that reach Kobuk are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Kobuk
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Kobuk:
- 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.