Shade Gap at a glance
- Population: 77, the 998th-largest community in Pennsylvania out of 1,013 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 79 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down roughly 2.5% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Pennsylvania places: 998th by size among 1,013 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 1% of the places in Pennsylvania (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 40.1803, -77.8662 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Rockhill, PA (5 mi); Orbisonia, PA (5 mi); Three Springs, PA (6 mi); Saltillo, PA (8 mi); Shirleysburg, PA (8 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller towns nearby: Valley-Hi, PA (20 mi); St. Clairsville, PA (34 mi); Callimont, PA (62 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Shade Gap
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
APR is the figure that lets you compare like with like, since it wraps fees into the rate; run your own numbers with the personal loan calculator.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Pennsylvania lending rules that apply in Shade Gap
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Shade Gap: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| 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 Shade Gap
Run through this list before signing anything in Shade Gap:
- 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.