Clinton at a glance
- Population: 2,781 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 239th-largest of 323 places in New Jersey.
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 2,774 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 0.3% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among New Jersey places: 239th by size among 323 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 26% of New Jersey's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 40.6368, -74.9152.
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): High Bridge, NJ (3 mi); Washington, NJ (9 mi); Flemington, NJ (9 mi); Phillipsburg, NJ (14 mi); Raritan, NJ (15 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Smaller places nearby: Lebanon, NJ (4 mi); Glen Gardner, NJ (5 mi); Hampton, NJ (6 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in Clinton
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
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 Clinton
The New Jersey rate caps and licensing rules that reach Clinton are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Clinton
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Clinton:
- 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.