Bethany Beach at a glance
- Population: 1,059 — 33rd in Delaware, which has 57 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 956 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 10.8% higher than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Delaware places: 33rd-largest of 57 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: larger than about 42% of the Census places in Delaware (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 38.5376 latitude, -75.0643 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Ocean View, DE (3 mi); Millville, DE (4 mi); Selbyville, DE (9 mi); Ocean City, MD (10 mi); Rehoboth Beach, DE (12 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: South Bethany, DE (2 mi); Fenwick Island, DE (5 mi); Frankford, DE (9 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Bethany Beach
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
Delaware lending rules that apply in Bethany Beach
The table carries the Delaware rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Bethany Beach.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Licensed lender license required from the State Bank Commissioner; making more than 5 loans in any 12-month period is deemed 'transacting the business of lending' Source says: "Every person desiring to transact the business of lending money in this State shall be required to obtain a license under this chapter". | Delaware General Assembly — 5 Del. C. § 2202 as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Delaware Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC) Source says: "The Office of the State Bank Commissioner is responsible for regulating and examining State-chartered banks and trust companies and licensed financial services businesses". | Delaware Office of the State Bank Commissioner as of 2026-09-16 |
| Title loans (5 Del. C. ch. 22, subch. V) | Title loans permitted: secured by motor vehicle title, original repayment period of 180 days or less; borrower has a right to rescind until the end of the next business day Source says: "“Title loan” means a loan made to one or more natural persons by a licensee and secured by the title to a motor vehicle". | Delaware General Assembly — 5 Del. C. § 2250 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate; no rate limit for loans over $100,000 (licensed lenders may set rates by agreement under 5 Del. C. § 2229) Source says: "interest at any rate agreed upon in writing not in excess of 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate"; "there shall be no limitation on the rate of interest which may be legally charged for the loan or use of money". | Delaware General Assembly — 6 Del. C. § 2301 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted as 'short-term consumer loans' (≤$1,000, stated term under 60 days); max 5 per borrower per 12 months; max 4 rollovers Source says: "a short-term consumer loan that would cause the borrower to have more than 5 short-term consumer loans from all licensees in any 12-month period"; "No licensee shall make more than 4 rollovers of an existing short-term consumer loan". | Delaware General Assembly — 5 Del. C. §§ 2227, 2235A as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Bethany Beach
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Bethany Beach:
- 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 Delaware using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.