Head of the Harbor at a glance
- Population: 1,467 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 361st-largest of 595 places in New York.
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 1,483 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down roughly 1.1% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among New York places: 361st in population of 595 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 39% of places in New York are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 40.8977 / -73.1615, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Nissequogue, NY (1 mi); Village of the Branch, NY (3 mi); Lake Grove, NY (4 mi); Islandia, NY (6 mi); Port Jefferson, NY (6 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller towns: Old Field, NY (5 mi); Poquott, NY (5 mi); Belle Terre, NY (7 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Head of the Harbor
A personal loan is an installment loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years.
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.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
If you are consolidating debt, the loan only helps if you stop adding to the balances it clears; otherwise the total debt grows.
New York lending rules that apply in Head of the Harbor
The New York rate caps and licensing rules that reach Head of the Harbor are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Head of the Harbor
A few practical steps will make the process in Head of the Harbor less costly:
- 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.