New Bethlehem at a glance
- Population: 953 residents, the 609th-largest of 1,013 places in Pennsylvania (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 976 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 2.4% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Pennsylvania places: 609th out of 1,013 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 40% of places in Pennsylvania are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 41.0063, -79.3253.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Clarion, PA (14 mi); Kittanning, PA (16 mi); Brookville, PA (17 mi); West Kittanning, PA (17 mi); Punxsutawney, PA (19 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller towns nearby: South Bethlehem, PA (1 mi); Hawthorn, PA (2 mi); Timblin, PA (7 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in New Bethlehem
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.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
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.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Pennsylvania lending rules that apply in New Bethlehem
The table lists the Pennsylvania rules that apply to a loan made in New Bethlehem, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in New Bethlehem
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in New Bethlehem:
- 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.