West Springfield Town at a glance
- Population: about 28,424 residents, ranking 46th of 54 Census places in Massachusetts (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 28,832 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 1.4% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Massachusetts places: 46th out of 54 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: larger than about 15% of the Census places in Massachusetts (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 42.1255, -72.6497 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Chicopee, MA (5 mi); Westfield, MA (6 mi); Springfield, MA (6 mi); Holyoke, MA (6 mi); Northampton, MA (14 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller towns: Agawam Town, MA (4 mi); Palmer Town, MA (18 mi); Southbridge Town, MA (32 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in West Springfield Town
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.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
Massachusetts lending rules that apply in West Springfield Town
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Massachusetts, and therefore in West Springfield Town.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 20% per annum criminal-usury threshold (M.G.L. c. 271, § 49); statutory exceptions apply Source says: "interest and expenses the aggregate of which exceeds an amount greater than twenty per centum per annum upon the sum loaned" | Massachusetts General Court as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Restricted: DOB states payday lending is not prohibited, but a 'payday loan' is illegal due to the high APR Source says: "Payday lending is not prohibited in Massachusetts. Yet what is referred to as a 'payday loan' is illegal" | Massachusetts Division of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Small-loan license required for loans of $6,000 or less when interest and expenses exceed 12% per year (M.G.L. c. 140, § 96) Source says: "No person shall directly or indirectly engage in the business of making loans of six thousand dollars or less ... without first obtaining ... a license" | Massachusetts General Court as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Division of Banks (Office of the Commissioner of Banks) Source says: "The Division of Banks (DOB) cautions you when applying for a payday loan" | Massachusetts Division of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan rate order | Maximum 23% per annum plus a $20 administrative fee (209 CMR 26.00/26.01) Source says: "Regulation 209 CMR 26.00 et seq. limits the annual interest rate that can be charged on small loans to 23%" | Massachusetts Division of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in West Springfield Town
Before you share your details with a lender in West Springfield Town:
- 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 Massachusetts using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.