West Pittston at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 4,648, placing it 208th among Pennsylvania's 1,013 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 4,651 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 0.1% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Pennsylvania places: 208th of the state's 1,013 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 79% of the places in Pennsylvania (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 41.3296, -75.8000 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Pittston, PA (1 mi); Exeter, PA (1 mi); Duryea, PA (2 mi); Old Forge, PA (4 mi); Swoyersville, PA (5 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller communities: Hughestown, PA (2 mi); Yatesville, PA (2 mi); Laflin, PA (3 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in West Pittston
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
APR, not the simple interest rate, reflects what the loan actually costs once fees are included; the personal loan calculator puts a figure on it.
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.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Pennsylvania lending rules that apply in West Pittston
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in West Pittston
A few practical steps will make the process in West Pittston less costly:
- 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.