Perkins at a glance
- Population: about 3,270, 102nd by size in Oklahoma of 590 places (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 3,217 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 1.6% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Oklahoma places: 102nd out of 590 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 83% of Oklahoma's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 35.9798, longitude -97.0313 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Stillwater, OK (11 mi); Cushing, OK (15 mi); Guthrie, OK (22 mi); Perry, OK (26 mi); Edmond, OK (30 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Smaller towns nearby: Ripley, OK (8 mi); Tryon, OK (8 mi); Agra, OK (11 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Perkins
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
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.
A lender weighs your credit profile, income and debts when setting the rate, and a longer term lowers the payment at the cost of more interest overall.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
Oklahoma lending rules that apply in Perkins
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Oklahoma, and therefore in Perkins.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | Prohibited since August 1, 2020: no new deferred deposit (payday) loans may be made; all Deferred Deposit Lending Act licenses terminated. Source says: "Beginning on and after August 1, 2020, no new deferred deposit loan may be entered into or transacted by a licensee or other person" and "All Deferred Deposit Lending Act licenses shall be terminated and be deemed to have expired on August 1, 2020" (59 O.S. 3101.1). | Oklahoma State Courts Network (Oklahoma Statutes, OSCN) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Oklahoma Small Lender license required (Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit); separate license per location; 59 O.S. 3150-3150.27. Source says: "no person shall engage in the business of making small loans... unless the person is licensed by the Department of Consumer Credit" (59 O.S. 3150.2). | Oklahoma State Courts Network (Oklahoma Statutes, OSCN) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit (OKDOCC) Source says: "The Department is responsible for the regulation of consumer credit sales and consumer loans in the State of Oklahoma." | Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small loan rate and principal caps (state-specific rule) | Small loans: interest capped at 17% per month; maximum aggregated principal of $1,500 per customer across all licensees (CPI-adjusted). Source says: "A licensee may only charge and collect a periodic interest rate not to exceed seventeen percent (17%) per month" (59 O.S. 3150.10(B)); max aggregated principal is $1,500 (3150.10(C)). | Oklahoma State Courts Network (Oklahoma Statutes, OSCN) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 6% per annum legal rate in the absence of a contract; parties may agree to any rate authorized by law. Source says: "The legal rate of interest shall be six percent (6%) in the absence of any contract as to the rate of interest" (15 O.S. 266). | Oklahoma State Courts Network (Oklahoma Statutes, OSCN) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Perkins
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Perkins:
- 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 Oklahoma using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.