Ramsey at a glance
- Population: 14,706 residents, the 68th-largest of 323 places in New Jersey (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 14,798 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 0.6% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among New Jersey places: 68th of 323 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: roughly 79% of places in New Jersey rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 41.0613, longitude -74.1470 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Ridgewood, NJ (6 mi); Spring Valley, NY (6 mi); Hawthorne, NJ (7 mi); Fair Lawn, NJ (9 mi); Paramus, NJ (9 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller places: Allendale, NJ (2 mi); Upper Saddle River, NJ (2 mi); Waldwick, NJ (4 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Ramsey
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
Two loans can share an interest rate and still differ in APR once fees are counted, so compare APR; our personal loan calculator shows the difference over the full term.
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.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
New Jersey lending rules that apply in Ramsey
The table carries the New Jersey rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Ramsey.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI); Office of Consumer Finance supervises consumer lenders Source says: "The Office of Consumer Finance regulates 16 types of businesses that provide a variety of consumer financial services." | New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Criminal usury limits | 30% for non-corporate borrowers; 50% for corporations Source says: "the criminal usury limitation is 50 percent for corporations and 30 percent for non-corporate borrowers" | New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | Civil usury: rates above 6% (agreement not in writing) or above 16% (written contract specifying the rate) Source says: "the civil usury rate is any interest rate greater than 6 percent for an agreement that is not in writing" | New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Unlicensed payday lending violates New Jersey's civil and criminal usury rates; payday lenders must be licensed Source says: "out-of-state or foreign entities that have not obtained the required New Jersey license and whose payment terms violate New Jersey's civil and criminal usury rates" | New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer lender license required for loans of $50,000 or less for personal, family, or household purposes (N.J.S.A. 17:11C-1 et seq.) Source says: "A consumer lender license is required for the making of a loan that is to be used primarily for personal, family or household purposes" | New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Ramsey
Run through this list before signing anything in Ramsey:
- 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 Jersey using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.