St. Mary's at a glance
- Population: 577 residents, the 54th-largest of 149 places in Alaska (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 602 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 4.2% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Alaska places: 54th of the state's 149 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 64% of places in Alaska rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 62.0628, -163.2443.
- Nearest larger cities: Pilot Station, AK (14 mi); Mountain Village, AK (15 mi); Alakanuk, AK (63 mi); Emmonak, AK (64 mi); Kotlik, AK (67 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Smaller towns nearby: Marshall, AK (41 mi); Nunam Iqua, AK (61 mi); Russian Mission, AK (64 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in St. Mary's
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Alaska lending rules that apply in St. Mary's
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | Permitted — licensed deferred deposit advances; max $500 outstanding per borrower; origination fee ≤$5; fee ≤$15 per $100 or 15%; minimum 14-day term Source says: "may not make advances to an advance recipient that exceed $500 outstanding in advances to the recipient at one time"; "a fee that does not exceed $15 for each $100 of an advance, or 15 percent of the total amount of the advance". | Alaska Legislature — Alaska Statutes §§ 06.50.410, 06.50.460 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | License required from the department to make loans of $25,000 or less at above-legal rates; $25,000 liquid assets and $25,000 bond required Source says: "without first obtaining a license from the department"; "liquid assets of at least $25,000". | Alaska Legislature — Alaska Statutes §§ 06.20.010, 06.20.040 as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (Division of Banking and Securities) Source says: "department means the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development". The Division of Banking and Securities (commerce.alaska.gov/web/dbs) administers the department's lending license programs. | Alaska Legislature — Alaska Statutes § 06.50.900(5) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10.5% per annum default; by contract, the greater of 10% or 5 percentage points above the 12th Federal Reserve District advance rate (loans over $25,000 exempt) Source says: "The rate of interest in the state is 10.5 percent a year and no more on money after it is due"; "more than the greater of 10 percent or five percentage points above the annual rate charged member banks for advances by the 12th Federal Reserve District". | Alaska Legislature — Alaska Statutes § 45.45.010 as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in St. Mary's
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in St. Mary's:
- 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 Alaska using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.