Personal loans in Sylva, NC
Sylva is a small community in North Carolina, with an estimated 2,668 residents, and every licensed lender here follows the same state rulebook. About 2,668 people live in Sylva, placing it 226th of 549 Census places in North Carolina.
The next larger city is Waynesville, NC about 15 miles away. The 2020 count to the 2023 estimate shows about 3.5% growth in Sylva. When North Carolina caps or restricts a product, lenders either change the terms or withdraw it from Sylva as from the rest of the state. Price two or three terms so you can see which payment is truly affordable in Sylva.
Borrowing in Sylva: the local picture
What follows is Sylva's place in the Census record, alongside the North Carolina rules that govern a personal loan made here.
- Population: the Census counts 2,668 residents in Sylva (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 226th-largest figure among North Carolina's 549 places.
- Population trend: A gain of roughly 3.5% between 2020 and 2023.
- People gained or lost: about 89 more since the 2020 base.
- Size percentile: about 59% of North Carolina communities are smaller than Sylva (2,668 residents).
- Density: the Census land area of 3.2 sq mi holds about 841 people per square mile.
- Land area: Sylva covers 3.2 square miles, the 238th-largest area among North Carolina's 549 places.
- State population share: Sylva accounts for about 0.0% of everyone in North Carolina.
- National rank: Sylva is 6,648th of 19,457 places nationwide.
- Growth rank: Sylva ranks 163rd among North Carolina's 549 places for the 2020-to-2023 change.
- Versus North Carolina: the state average change is +2.9%, while Sylva moved 3.5%.
- Density in North Carolina: Sylva ranks 239th by people per square mile.
- Against the state median: Sylva runs about 841 residents per square mile, where the North Carolina median is 758.
- Location: 35.3754, -83.2185 (Census Gazetteer coordinates).
- Nearest larger cities: Waynesville (15 mi); Franklin (16 mi); Canton (24 mi); Gatlinburg (29 mi); Brevard (29 mi). Online lenders reach Sylva no matter how far the nearest branch is.
- Nearest smaller places: Webster (2 mi); Dillsboro (2 mi); Forest Hills (6 mi).
- Within a 50-mile radius: 36 smaller Census places.
- At 100 miles: 115 larger Census places fall inside that radius.
What North Carolina law requires in Sylva
These are North Carolina's sourced lending facts as they reach Sylva's 2,668 residents; the state has no city-level rate rule.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks (NCCOB) Source says: "Lenders operating under the CFA must be licensed by and are subject to regulation by the NCCOB." | North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Finance Act license from the Commissioner of Banks required for loans of $25,000 or less charging more than Chapter 24 rates Source says: "Direct lenders seeking to charge rates higher than allowed under Chapter 24 on consumer term loans of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or less" | North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| Consumer Finance Act installment loan rates (G.S. 53-176) | 33% per annum on unpaid balance up to $4,000; 24% on $4,000-$8,000; 18% on the remainder (loans up to $12,000); 18% for loans above $12,000 Source says: "thirty-three percent (33%) per annum on that part of the unpaid principal balance not exceeding four thousand dollars ($4,000)" | North Carolina General Assembly as of 2026-09-16 |
Sylva's place among North Carolina's 549 places
Set beside North Carolina's 549 places, Sylva ranks 226th by population and holds about 0.0% of the state total. On the 2020-to-2023 trend, Sylva stands 163rd among North Carolina's 549 places — roughly the 70th percentile. By density, at about 841 people per square mile, it ranks 239th in North Carolina. In land area, Sylva ranks 238th among North Carolina's 549 places.
How a Sylva personal loan is priced
A Sylva personal loan is an installment loan: a lump sum, then fixed monthly payments over a set term, priced off your credit rather than its 2,668 residents. A lender serving Sylva's 2,668 residents must disclose the APR and finance charge in writing before you sign. Because the payment is fixed, the total cost of a Sylva loan is knowable in advance — unlike a revolving card balance.
The geography behind Sylva
Sylva's land area is roughly 3.2 square miles, and the Gazetteer records no significant water area within it. Spread across it are roughly 841 residents per square mile. Charlotte, the largest place in North Carolina, is about 135 miles from Sylva. A 50-mile radius around Sylva takes in 19 places that are larger. Within the same 50 miles lie 36 smaller Census places.
What is available to Sylva borrowers
With about 841 residents per square mile, Sylva is moderately settled, and 19 larger Census places sit within 50 miles. Lenders licensed in North Carolina reach Sylva's 2,668 residents online, so the nearest branch is not what sets your APR. The nearest larger city, Waynesville, NC about 15 miles away.
Common questions
What are my options in Sylva if my credit is poor?
What loan size can I expect in Sylva?
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Does comparing loans in Sylva cost me credit score points?
Nearby places
- Webster, NC — population 387
- Dillsboro, NC — population 214
- Forest Hills, NC — population 313
- Maggie Valley, NC — population 1,744
- Bryson City, NC — population 1,510
- Waynesville, NC — population 10,667
- Franklin, NC — population 4,328
- Highlands, NC — population 1,110