Clayton at a glance
- Population: 8,948 residents, the 126th-largest of 323 places in New Jersey (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 8,805 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: an increase of about 1.6% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among New Jersey places: 126th out of 323 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 61% of places in New Jersey are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 39.6641, -75.0744 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Glassboro, NJ (3 mi); Pine Hill, NJ (10 mi); Lindenwold, NJ (12 mi); Woodbury, NJ (13 mi); Bellmawr, NJ (14 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller communities: Pitman, NJ (6 mi); Elmer, NJ (7 mi); Newfield, NJ (9 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Clayton
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
A lender weighs your credit profile, income and debts when setting the rate, and a longer term lowers the payment at the cost of more interest overall.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
New Jersey lending rules that apply in Clayton
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Clayton: label, sourced figure, publisher and 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 Clayton
Run through this list before signing anything in Clayton:
- 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.