Blades at a glance
- Population: 1,295, the 28th-largest community in Delaware out of 57 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 1,171 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 10.6% growth over the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Delaware places: 28th in population of 57 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 51% of Delaware's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 38.6352, -75.6025 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Seaford, DE (2 mi); Laurel, DE (5 mi); Bridgeville, DE (6 mi); Federalsburg, MD (10 mi); Delmar, DE (12 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller places: Bethel, DE (5 mi); Galestown, MD (8 mi); Sharptown, MD (9 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Blades
Personal loans are closed-end installment debt, so the monthly payment and the payoff date are known from the start.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
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.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
Delaware lending rules that apply in Blades
The table lists the Delaware rules that apply to a loan made in Blades, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Licensed lender license required from the State Bank Commissioner; making more than 5 loans in any 12-month period is deemed 'transacting the business of lending' Source says: "Every person desiring to transact the business of lending money in this State shall be required to obtain a license under this chapter". | Delaware General Assembly — 5 Del. C. § 2202 as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Delaware Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC) Source says: "The Office of the State Bank Commissioner is responsible for regulating and examining State-chartered banks and trust companies and licensed financial services businesses". | Delaware Office of the State Bank Commissioner as of 2026-09-16 |
| Title loans (5 Del. C. ch. 22, subch. V) | Title loans permitted: secured by motor vehicle title, original repayment period of 180 days or less; borrower has a right to rescind until the end of the next business day Source says: "“Title loan” means a loan made to one or more natural persons by a licensee and secured by the title to a motor vehicle". | Delaware General Assembly — 5 Del. C. § 2250 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate; no rate limit for loans over $100,000 (licensed lenders may set rates by agreement under 5 Del. C. § 2229) Source says: "interest at any rate agreed upon in writing not in excess of 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate"; "there shall be no limitation on the rate of interest which may be legally charged for the loan or use of money". | Delaware General Assembly — 6 Del. C. § 2301 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted as 'short-term consumer loans' (≤$1,000, stated term under 60 days); max 5 per borrower per 12 months; max 4 rollovers Source says: "a short-term consumer loan that would cause the borrower to have more than 5 short-term consumer loans from all licensees in any 12-month period"; "No licensee shall make more than 4 rollovers of an existing short-term consumer loan". | Delaware General Assembly — 5 Del. C. §§ 2227, 2235A as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Blades
Run through this list before signing anything in Blades:
- 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 Delaware using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.