Poughkeepsie at a glance
- Population: about 31,772, 22nd by size in New York of 595 places (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 31,591 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 0.6% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among New York places: 22nd largest of 595 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 96% of places in New York are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 41.6946, -73.9199 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Kiryas Joel, NY (28 mi); Danbury, CT (31 mi); Spring Valley, NY (41 mi); Torrington, CT (42 mi); Waterbury, CT (47 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller places: Wappingers Falls, NY (7 mi); New Paltz, NY (9 mi); Fishkill, NY (11 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Poughkeepsie
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
New York lending rules that apply in Poughkeepsie
Each row below is a New York rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| 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 Poughkeepsie
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Poughkeepsie:
- 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.