Cleveland at a glance
- Population: 731, the 471st-largest community in New York out of 595 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 737 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 0.8% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among New York places: 471st-largest of 595 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 21% of New York places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 43.2400, -75.8842 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Sylvan Beach, NY (9 mi); Camden, NY (10 mi); Canastota, NY (13 mi); Minoa, NY (13 mi); Central Square, NY (13 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller communities: Wampsville, NY (14 mi); Parish, NY (17 mi); Oneida Castle, NY (17 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Cleveland
A personal loan is an installment loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years.
APR, not the simple interest rate, reflects what the loan actually costs once fees are included; the personal loan calculator puts a figure on it.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
New York lending rules that apply in Cleveland
Every figure in the table below is sourced to a publisher with a date; where a state does not publish a number, we say so rather than estimate.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Licensed Lender license required (Banking Law Article 9, sections 340-361); administered via NMLS Source says: "The Department of Financial Services uses the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) to manage the Licensed Lender License." | New York State Department of Financial Services as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) Source says: "Notify the Department of Financial Services at (800) 342-3736 if you believe payday loans are being made in New York" | New York State Department of Financial Services as of 2026-09-16 |
| Criminal usury in the second degree (Penal Law 190.40) | Interest rate exceeding 25% per annum; class E felony Source says: "at a rate exceeding twenty-five per centum per annum or the equivalent rate for a longer or shorter period" | New York State Senate (Open Legislation) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 16% per annum maximum civil rate (Banking Law 14-a; General Obligations Law 5-501) Source says: "The maximum rate of interest provided for in section 5-501 of the general obligations law shall be sixteen per centum per annum." | New York State Senate (Open Legislation) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Illegal in New York State, in person, by telephone, or over the Internet Source says: "Payday loans are illegal in New York State." | New York State Department of Financial Services as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Cleveland
Run through this list before signing anything in Cleveland:
- 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 York using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.