Laurens at a glance
- Population: 216 people, the 585th-largest place among New York's 595 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 218 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down roughly 0.9% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among New York places: 585th largest of 595 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 2% of places in New York are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 42.5313, longitude -75.0887 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Oneonta, NY (5 mi); Morris, NY (8 mi); Milford, NY (8 mi); Otego, NY (11 mi); Gilbertsville, NY (13 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Smyrna, NY (27 mi); Ames, NY (33 mi); Starrucca, PA (48 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Laurens
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
New York lending rules that apply in Laurens
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Laurens
Before you share your details with a lender in Laurens:
- 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.