Hawthorne at a glance
- Population: 83,364 — 99th in California, which has 482 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 88,077 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 5.4% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among California places: 99th in population of 482 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 79% of California's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 33.9148, -118.3481.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Inglewood, CA (3 mi); Torrance, CA (6 mi); Compton, CA (7 mi); Carson, CA (8 mi); Los Angeles, CA (8 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Lawndale, CA (2 mi); Gardena, CA (3 mi); Manhattan Beach, CA (4 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Hawthorne
Personal loans are closed-end installment debt, so the monthly payment and the payoff date are known from the start.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
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.
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.
California lending rules that apply in Hawthorne
The table carries the California rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Hawthorne.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 7% per annum default; written contracts may set up to 10% per annum for consumer-purpose loans Source says: "shall be 7 percent per annum"; "for use primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, at a rate not exceeding 10 percent per annum". | California Legislature — California Constitution, Article XV, § 1 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under the California Deferred Deposit Transaction Law; max $300 face amount; fee ≤15%; term up to 31 days Source says: "The face amount of the check shall not exceed three hundred dollars ($300)"; "A fee for a deferred deposit transaction shall not exceed 15 percent of the face amount of the check" (Financial Code § 23036). | California Legislature — Financial Code § 23035 (and § 23036) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Finance lender/broker license required from the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation (California Financing Law) Source says: "No person shall engage in the business of a finance lender or broker without obtaining a license from the commissioner". | California Legislature — Financial Code § 22100 as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) Source says: "“Department” means the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation". | California Legislature — Financial Code § 23001 as of 2026-09-16 |
| 36% rate cap on mid-size consumer loans (AB 539) | Consumer loans of $2,500 to under $10,000: cap of 36% per annum simple interest plus the Federal Funds Rate Source says: "charges at a rate not exceeding an annual simple interest rate of 36 percent per annum plus the Federal Funds Rate". | California Legislature — Financial Code § 22304.5 as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Hawthorne
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Hawthorne:
- 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 California using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.