Lakeport at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 5,135 residents, ranking 424th of 482 places in California (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 5,029 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a gain of roughly 2.1% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among California places: 424th in population of 482 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 12% of the places in California (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 39.0383, -122.9226 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Clearlake, CA (16 mi); Ukiah, CA (17 mi); Cloverdale, CA (18 mi); Healdsburg, CA (29 mi); Windsor, CA (35 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller communities: Willits, CA (34 mi); Calistoga, CA (36 mi); Point Arena, CA (42 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Lakeport
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
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.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
California lending rules that apply in Lakeport
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Lakeport: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 36% rate cap on mid-size consumer loans (AB 539) | Consumer loans of $2,500 to under $10,000: cap of 36% per annum simple interest plus the Federal Funds Rate Source says: "charges at a rate not exceeding an annual simple interest rate of 36 percent per annum plus the Federal Funds Rate". | California Legislature — Financial Code § 22304.5 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 7% per annum default; written contracts may set up to 10% per annum for consumer-purpose loans Source says: "shall be 7 percent per annum"; "for use primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, at a rate not exceeding 10 percent per annum". | California Legislature — California Constitution, Article XV, § 1 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under the California Deferred Deposit Transaction Law; max $300 face amount; fee ≤15%; term up to 31 days Source says: "The face amount of the check shall not exceed three hundred dollars ($300)"; "A fee for a deferred deposit transaction shall not exceed 15 percent of the face amount of the check" (Financial Code § 23036). | California Legislature — Financial Code § 23035 (and § 23036) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Finance lender/broker license required from the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation (California Financing Law) Source says: "No person shall engage in the business of a finance lender or broker without obtaining a license from the commissioner". | California Legislature — Financial Code § 22100 as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) Source says: "“Department” means the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation". | California Legislature — Financial Code § 23001 as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Lakeport
A few practical steps will make the process in Lakeport 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 California using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.