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Payday loans by state

Payday Loans in Elgin, SC: Rules, Costs and Local Options

With about 1,657 residents (2024 Census estimate), Elgin has grown since 2020. If you are thinking about a payday loan here, these are the South Carolina rules that apply, what it costs and the local alternatives.

Key takeaways
  • Payday loans in Elgin follow South Carolina law (S.C. Code Title 34, Chapter 39 (Deferred Presentment Services Act)).
  • Borrowing $300 at the state maximum costs $45 (15% fee).
  • The nearest larger city is Columbia, about 11 miles away.

Elgin at a glance

Elgin
Population (2024 Census estimate)1,657
Change since 2020+1.5% (growing)
CountyKershaw County
Size rank among 223 South Carolina places we cover128th
Nearest larger cityColumbia (about 11 miles)
Credit unions headquartered in town (NCUA)None
Credit unions headquartered in Kershaw County1
Other towns within 25 miles12 (about 222,781 residents)
Typical payday APR statewide (CRL 2023)391%

Payday lending in Elgin follows South Carolina state law. Lenders that serve Elgin, in a store or online, must be licensed by the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions, Consumer Finance Division.

Credit unions near Elgin

No credit union has its main office in Elgin, but these are based elsewhere in Kershaw County (NCUA, June 2026):

  • Mid Carolina Credit Union in Lugoff (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.

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Payday loan rules that apply in Elgin

The main South Carolina rules for a payday loan in Elgin: maximum loan: $550; maximum fee: 15% of the amount advanced; loan term: up to 31 days. See the full South Carolina payday loan rules.

What a $300 loan costs in Elgin

The Center for Responsible Lending put the typical APR on a $400 payday loan in South Carolina at 391% (June 2023). For $300 at the state maximum, expect $45 (15% fee). Check any offer with our payday loan calculator.

Other help in Kershaw County before you borrow

  • Call or text 211 for help with rent, utilities and food in Kershaw County.
  • Ask a federal credit union about a PAL: $200–$2,000 at no more than 28% APR (how PALs work).
  • Check your bank app for a small-dollar loan or early pay (bank options).
  • Try a cash advance app if you have direct deposit (apps compared).

Towns near Elgin

The nearest larger city is Columbia, about 11 miles away. See all 223 South Carolina cities.

Need cash before payday?Send one free request to our lender network. We are not a lender; offers and rates come from lenders.

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Frequently asked questions

Are payday loans legal in Elgin?

Yes. Payday loans are legal in Elgin under South Carolina state law, and lenders must be licensed by the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions, Consumer Finance Division.

How much does a payday loan cost in Elgin?

At South Carolina’s maximum fee, borrowing $300 costs $45 (15% fee). The typical statewide APR was 391% in 2023.

Where is the nearest credit union to Elgin?

No credit union is headquartered in Elgin, but Mid Carolina Credit Union is based in Lugoff, also in Kershaw County.

Sources

  1. U.S. Census Bureau — City and town population totals, Vintage 2024
  2. U.S. Census Bureau — 2024 Gazetteer files (place locations)
  3. NCUA — Credit union call report data, June 2026 (FOICU)
  4. South Carolina Legislature — Deferred presentment (2009 Bill 87)
  5. Center for Responsible Lending — Red Alert Rates: APRs on $400 single-payment payday loans (June 2023)
  6. CDFI Fund — NCUA payday alternative loans summary
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