Portage at a glance
- Population: 289, the 224th-largest community in Utah out of 255 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 274 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 5.5% growth over the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Utah places: 224th out of 255 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 12% of Utah's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 41.9756, -112.2405 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Plymouth, UT (9 mi); Clarkston, UT (10 mi); Fielding, UT (13 mi); Weston, ID (14 mi); Malad City, ID (15 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Cornish, UT (14 mi); Howell, UT (17 mi); Oxford, ID (23 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Portage
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
Two loans can share an interest rate and still differ in APR once fees are counted, so compare APR; our personal loan calculator shows the difference over the full term.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Utah lending rules that apply in Portage
The Utah rate caps and licensing rules that reach Portage are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | Legal; deferred deposit lenders must register with the Utah DFI (Utah Code Title 7, ch. 23) Source says: It is unlawful for a person to engage in the business of cashing checks or the business of deferred deposit lending in Utah | Utah State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer lenders under the Utah Consumer Credit Code (Title 70C) must file a Consumer Credit Notification via NMLS Source says: Entities subject to the UCCC's notification requirement must file a Consumer Credit Notification (CCN) through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). | Utah Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Utah Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) Source says: The Department of Financial Institutions regulates 19 banks, 22 credit unions, 17 industrial banks and 1 trust company. | Utah Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | No general cap — parties may agree to any rate; 10% per annum legal rate if no rate is specified (Utah Code § 15-1-1) Source says: The parties to a lawful written, verbal, or implied contract may agree upon any rate of interest for the contract | Utah State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Portage
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Portage:
- 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 Utah using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.