Medina at a glance
- Population: 5,906, the 147th-largest community in New York out of 595 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 6,051 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down roughly 2.4% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among New York places: 147th largest of 595 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 75% of New York's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 43.2197, -78.3879 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Lockport, NY (16 mi); Batavia, NY (19 mi); Brockport, NY (23 mi); Lancaster, NY (26 mi); Depew, NY (27 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller communities: Middleport, NY (4 mi); Lyndonville, NY (7 mi); Albion, NY (10 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Medina
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
APR, not the simple interest rate, reflects what the loan actually costs once fees are included; the personal loan calculator puts a figure on it.
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.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
New York lending rules that apply in Medina
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 Medina
Before you commit to a personal loan in Medina, 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 New York using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.