Carefree at a glance
- Population: about 3,642, 67th by size in Arizona of 91 places (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 3,681 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 1.1% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Arizona places: 67th in population of 91 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 26% of the places in Arizona (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 33.8232, -111.9133.
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Cave Creek, AZ (4 mi); Scottsdale, AZ (10 mi); Fountain Hills, AZ (18 mi); Paradise Valley, AZ (19 mi); Phoenix, AZ (20 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Star Valley, AZ (50 mi); Superior, AZ (59 mi); Jerome, AZ (65 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Carefree
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
Compare offers on APR rather than the headline rate — the APR includes most fees, and you can model the total with our personal loan calculator.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
Before you borrow, decide what the loan is for and whether the monthly payment fits a budget you can already meet without taking on new debt.
Arizona lending rules that apply in Carefree
Each row below is a Arizona rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) Source says: "The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI)". | Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Consumer lender loan rate caps (§ 6-632) | Consumer loans: 36% per year on principal up to $3,000; for larger loans, 36% on the first $3,000 and 24% above $3,000 Source says: "a consumer loan rate of thirty-six per cent"; "a consumer loan rate of twenty-four per cent on that part of the principal amount greater than three thousand dollars". | Arizona State Legislature — A.R.S. § 6-632 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per year default; any rate may be agreed in writing (other than medical debt) Source says: "interest shall be at the rate of ten percent a year, unless a different rate is contracted for in writing". | Arizona State Legislature — A.R.S. § 44-1201 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Not permitted — payday lending authorization expired June 30, 2010; DIFI no longer licenses payday lenders; consumer loans over 36% APR illegal since July 1, 2010 Source says: "The law allowing payday loans in Arizona expired on June 30, 2010. DIFI no longer licenses payday lenders." | Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer lender license required from the deputy director (A.R.S. Title 6, Chapter 5); at least $25,000 in assets readily available per licensed office; license not transferable Source says: "shall not engage in the business of a consumer lender without first being licensed as a consumer lender". | Arizona State Legislature — A.R.S. § 6-603 as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Carefree
Run through this list before signing anything in Carefree:
- 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 Arizona using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.