Personal loans in Clayton, NJ
Personal loans in Clayton, New Jersey work the same way they do across the state: you apply, a lender reviews your credit and income, and it prices the loan to the risk it sees. Clayton has about 8,948 residents and ranks 126th in New Jersey by population. Its population grew about 1.6% between the 2020 Census base and the 2023 estimate. The closest larger city is Glassboro, NJ about 3 miles away.
What is specific to borrowing in Clayton
- Population: 8,948 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate) — the 126th-largest place of 323 in New Jersey.
- Population trend: Its population grew about 1.6% between the 2020 Census base and the 2023 estimate.
- Size percentile: larger than about 61% of the Census places in New Jersey.
- Location: 39.6641, -75.0744 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Glassboro (3 mi); Pine Hill (10 mi); Lindenwold (12 mi); Woodbury (13 mi); Bellmawr (14 mi). Larger metros often have more walk-in branches, but online lenders serve Clayton on the same terms.
- Nearest smaller towns: Pitman (6 mi); Elmer (7 mi); Newfield (9 mi).
New Jersey lending rules that apply in Clayton
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How a personal loan works in Clayton
In Clayton, as across New Jersey, the lender must disclose the loan's APR and finance charge before you sign, under the federal Truth in Lending Act. Use that disclosure: compare the APR, not the interest rate alone, because origination fees, and sometimes prepayment penalties, are folded into the APR. If a lender will not put the terms in writing, that is a reason to walk away.
Before you apply in Clayton
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run the numbers with our personal loan calculator so you know the payment before a lender tells you.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check the lender is licensed in New Jersey using the regulator listed above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.
Advertising disclosure: Loansloth may receive a referral fee if you apply through the link above. That fee does not change the rate you are offered, and it does not change our content. We are not a lender. Read the full disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a personal loan with bad credit in Clayton?
Yes, but expect a higher APR and possibly a smaller amount. Lenders that serve borrowers with lower scores are licensed statewide, so your options in Clayton are the same as elsewhere in New Jersey.
How much can I borrow with a personal loan in Clayton?
Most personal loans range from about $1,000 to $50,000, but the amount you are approved for depends on the lender and your income and credit. Use our personal loan calculator to model the payment before you apply.
Does a personal loan in Clayton require collateral?
Unsecured personal loans do not require collateral. A secured loan, such as a home-equity or auto-secured loan, does — and it puts the pledged asset at risk if you default.
Will shopping for a loan in Clayton hurt my credit?
Pre-qualification usually uses a soft credit pull that does not affect your score. A full application triggers a hard inquiry, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily.
Nearby places
- Glassboro, NJ — population 23,987
- Pitman, NJ — population 8,880
- Elmer, NJ — population 1,368
- Newfield, NJ — population 1,798
- Wenonah, NJ — population 2,309
- Pine Hill, NJ — population 10,783
- Clementon, NJ — population 5,465
- Woodbury Heights, NJ — population 3,127