New Paltz at a glance
- Population: 8,552 people, the 102nd-largest place among New York's 595 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 7,357 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 16.2% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among New York places: 102nd of 595 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: about 83% of New York's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 41.7499, longitude -74.0797 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Poughkeepsie, NY (9 mi); Kingston, NY (13 mi); Newburgh, NY (17 mi); Beacon, NY (18 mi); Middletown, NY (28 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Nearest smaller towns: Wappingers Falls, NY (13 mi); Walden, NY (14 mi); Ellenville, NY (15 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in New Paltz
With an installment loan the payment is fixed for the life of the loan, so the schedule is predictable from the first month to the last.
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 repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
New York lending rules that apply in New Paltz
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in New York, and therefore in New Paltz.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in New Paltz
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in New Paltz:
- 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.