- Payday loans in Dauphin Island follow Alabama law (Alabama Deferred Presentment Services Act).
- Borrowing $300 at the state maximum costs $52.50 (17.5% fee).
- The nearest larger city is Fairhope, about 26 miles away.
Dauphin Island at a glance
| Dauphin Island | |
|---|---|
| Population (2024 Census estimate) | 1,923 |
| Change since 2020 | +7.9% (growing fast) |
| County | Mobile County |
| Size rank among 389 Alabama places we cover | 198th |
| Nearest larger city | Fairhope (about 26 miles) |
| Credit unions headquartered in town (NCUA) | None |
| Credit unions headquartered in Mobile County | 9 |
| Other towns within 25 miles | 1 (about 2,124 residents) |
| Typical payday APR statewide (CRL 2023) | 456% |
There is no separate Dauphin Island payday law: Alabama rules apply here, and any lender serving Dauphin Island residents, online or in person, needs a license from the Alabama State Banking Department.
Credit unions near Dauphin Island
No credit union has its main office in Dauphin Island, but these are based elsewhere in Mobile County (NCUA, June 2026):
- Gulf Coast Federal Credit Union in Mobile (federal charter — may offer payday alternative loans (PALs))
- University of South Alabama Federal Credit Union in Mobile (federal charter — may offer payday alternative loans (PALs))
- the Infirmary Federal Credit Union in Mobile (federal charter — may offer payday alternative loans (PALs))
- New Horizons Credit Union in Mobile (state charter)
- Mobile Educators Credit Union in Mobile (state charter)
Only federal credit unions can offer payday alternative loans (PALs), capped at 28% APR; state-chartered credit unions often have their own small-loan products. Membership rules apply, and only main offices are listed here; find branches near you with the NCUA Credit Union Locator. See how PALs work.
Payday loan rules that apply in Dauphin Island
In short, Alabama rules that cover Dauphin Island include: maximum loan: $500 outstanding in total (checked through a statewide database); maximum fee: 17.5% of the amount advanced; loan term: 10 to 31 days. See the full Alabama payday loan rules.
What a $300 loan costs in Dauphin Island
At Alabama’s maximum fee, borrowing $300 costs $52.50 (17.5% fee). Statewide, the typical APR on a $400 payday loan was 456% (Center for Responsible Lending, June 2023). Check any offer with our payday loan calculator.
Other help in Mobile County before you borrow
Before a payday loan, Dauphin Island residents can usually find something cheaper:
- Local assistance through 211 covering Mobile County.
- A credit union payday alternative loan (max 28% APR). See PALs explained.
- Your bank’s small-dollar loan, if offered (compare banks).
- A cash advance app for $20–$500 (apps compared).
Towns near Dauphin Island
- Bayou La Batre · 12 mi
- Fairhope · 26 mi
- Magnolia Springs · 26 mi
- Gulf Shores · 28 mi
- Mobile · 29 mi
- Daphne · 32 mi
The nearest larger city is Fairhope, about 26 miles away. See all 389 Alabama cities.
Need cash before payday?Send one free request to our lender network. We are not a lender; offers and rates come from lenders.
Request a loanFrequently asked questions
Are payday loans legal in Dauphin Island?
Yes. Payday loans are legal in Dauphin Island under Alabama state law, and lenders must be licensed by the Alabama State Banking Department.
How much does a payday loan cost in Dauphin Island?
At Alabama’s maximum fee, borrowing $300 costs $52.50 (17.5% fee). The typical statewide APR was 456% in 2023.
Where is the nearest credit union to Dauphin Island?
No credit union is headquartered in Dauphin Island, but Gulf Coast Federal Credit Union is based in Mobile, also in Mobile County.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau — City and town population totals, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — 2024 Gazetteer files (place locations)
- NCUA — Credit union call report data, June 2026 (FOICU)
- NCLC — Consumer Credit Regulation: Alabama
- Lexology — Alabama establishes payday loan database
- Center for Responsible Lending — Red Alert Rates: APRs on $400 single-payment payday loans (June 2023)
- CDFI Fund — NCUA payday alternative loans summary