Ames at a glance
- Population: 138, the 592nd-largest community in New York out of 595 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 140 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 1.4% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among New York places: 592nd-largest of 595 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 1% of New York places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 42.8375, -74.6017.
- Nearest larger cities: Sharon Springs, NY (3 mi); Canajoharie, NY (5 mi); Palatine Bridge, NY (6 mi); Nelliston, NY (7 mi); Fort Plain, NY (7 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller towns: Old Bennington, VT (70 mi); Friendsville, PA (97 mi); Newfane, VT (99 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Ames
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
Lenders weigh your credit history, income and debts when they set the rate, and the term you choose then determines how that rate compounds into total cost.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
New York lending rules that apply in Ames
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in New York, and therefore in Ames.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Licensed Lender license required (Banking Law Article 9, sections 340-361); administered via NMLS Source says: "The Department of Financial Services uses the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) to manage the Licensed Lender License." | New York State Department of Financial Services as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) Source says: "Notify the Department of Financial Services at (800) 342-3736 if you believe payday loans are being made in New York" | New York State Department of Financial Services as of 2026-09-16 |
| Criminal usury in the second degree (Penal Law 190.40) | Interest rate exceeding 25% per annum; class E felony Source says: "at a rate exceeding twenty-five per centum per annum or the equivalent rate for a longer or shorter period" | New York State Senate (Open Legislation) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 16% per annum maximum civil rate (Banking Law 14-a; General Obligations Law 5-501) Source says: "The maximum rate of interest provided for in section 5-501 of the general obligations law shall be sixteen per centum per annum." | New York State Senate (Open Legislation) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Illegal in New York State, in person, by telephone, or over the Internet Source says: "Payday loans are illegal in New York State." | New York State Department of Financial Services as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Ames
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Ames:
- 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 New York using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.