Berlin at a glance
- Population: 7,534 residents, the 150th-largest of 323 places in New Jersey (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 7,491 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 0.6% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among New Jersey places: 150th of 323 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 54% of New Jersey's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 39.7921, -74.9370 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Pine Hill, NJ (2 mi); Lindenwold, NJ (3 mi); Runnemede, NJ (8 mi); Haddonfield, NJ (9 mi); Bellmawr, NJ (10 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Nearest smaller towns: Clementon, NJ (3 mi); Gibbsboro, NJ (3 mi); Laurel Springs, NJ (4 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Berlin
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
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.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
New Jersey lending rules that apply in Berlin
The New Jersey rate caps and licensing rules that reach Berlin are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| 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 to compare offers in Berlin
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Berlin:
- 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.