Meshoppen at a glance
- Population: 325 residents, the 851st-largest of 1,013 places in Pennsylvania (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 328 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 0.9% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Pennsylvania places: 851st by size among 1,013 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 16% of Pennsylvania's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 41.6093 latitude, -76.0418 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Laceyville, PA (7 mi); Tunkhannock, PA (7 mi); Wyalusing, PA (12 mi); Nicholson, PA (13 mi); Factoryville, PA (14 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller towns: Hop Bottom, PA (16 mi); LeRaysville, PA (17 mi); New Albany, PA (21 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Meshoppen
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
Pennsylvania lending rules that apply in Meshoppen
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Meshoppen
Run through this list before signing anything in Meshoppen:
- 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.