Fountain Hills at a glance
- Population: roughly 23,611 people; 32nd of 91 places in Arizona (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 23,820 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 0.9% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Arizona places: the 32nd-largest of 91 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 65% of the places in Arizona (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 33.6078, -111.7384 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Scottsdale, AZ (9 mi); Mesa, AZ (14 mi); Tempe, AZ (19 mi); Apache Junction, AZ (19 mi); Phoenix, AZ (20 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Smaller places nearby: Paradise Valley, AZ (13 mi); Carefree, AZ (18 mi); Cave Creek, AZ (21 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in Fountain Hills
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
APR is the figure that lets you compare like with like, since it wraps fees into the rate; run your own numbers with the personal loan calculator.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
Arizona lending rules that apply in Fountain Hills
The table carries the Arizona rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Fountain Hills.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) Source says: "The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI)". | Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Consumer lender loan rate caps (§ 6-632) | Consumer loans: 36% per year on principal up to $3,000; for larger loans, 36% on the first $3,000 and 24% above $3,000 Source says: "a consumer loan rate of thirty-six per cent"; "a consumer loan rate of twenty-four per cent on that part of the principal amount greater than three thousand dollars". | Arizona State Legislature — A.R.S. § 6-632 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per year default; any rate may be agreed in writing (other than medical debt) Source says: "interest shall be at the rate of ten percent a year, unless a different rate is contracted for in writing". | Arizona State Legislature — A.R.S. § 44-1201 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Not permitted — payday lending authorization expired June 30, 2010; DIFI no longer licenses payday lenders; consumer loans over 36% APR illegal since July 1, 2010 Source says: "The law allowing payday loans in Arizona expired on June 30, 2010. DIFI no longer licenses payday lenders." | Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer lender license required from the deputy director (A.R.S. Title 6, Chapter 5); at least $25,000 in assets readily available per licensed office; license not transferable Source says: "shall not engage in the business of a consumer lender without first being licensed as a consumer lender". | Arizona State Legislature — A.R.S. § 6-603 as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Fountain Hills
Before you commit to a personal loan in Fountain Hills, work through these steps:
- 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 Arizona using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.