Smelterville at a glance
- Population: 708 residents, the 107th-largest of 197 places in Idaho (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 668 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: an increase of about 6.0% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Idaho places: 107th in population of 197 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 46% of Idaho's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 47.5424, longitude -116.1774 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Kellogg, ID (2 mi); Pinehurst, ID (3 mi); Osburn, ID (9 mi); Wallace, ID (13 mi); St. Maries, ID (24 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller towns: Wardner, ID (3 mi); Mullan, ID (19 mi); Fernan Lake Village, ID (28 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Smelterville
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
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.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
Idaho lending rules that apply in Smelterville
Each row below is a Idaho rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Idaho Department of Finance (IDOF) Source says: "Safeguarding the financial health of Idahoans through the appropriate oversight of diverse financial institutions, the education and protection of consumers". | Idaho Department of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Idaho Credit Code finance-charge rule | No statutory maximum finance-charge rate — rate as agreed by the parties (Idaho Credit Code) Source says: "the rate of finance charge shall be that which is agreed upon between the parties to the transaction". | Idaho State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per annum legal rate (when no written contract fixes a different rate) Source says: "interest is allowed at the rate of twelve cents (12¢) on the hundred by the year". | Idaho State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (payday loan license required) Source says: "No person shall engage in the business of payday loans ... without having first obtained a license under this chapter". | Idaho State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated Lenders License required (regulated consumer loans) Source says: "unless a person is exempt ... he shall not engage in the business of: (a) Making regulated consumer loans". | Idaho State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Smelterville
Before you commit to a personal loan in Smelterville, work through these steps:
- 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 Idaho using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.