Dover at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 33,485, placing it 5th among New Hampshire's 13 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 32,744 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 2.3% growth over the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among New Hampshire places: 5th of 13 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: roughly 62% of places in New Hampshire rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 43.1864 / -70.8836, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Rochester, NH (9 mi); Haverhill, MA (30 mi); Manchester, NH (32 mi); Concord, NH (34 mi); Lawrence, MA (36 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller places close by: Somersworth, NH (5 mi); Portsmouth, NH (10 mi); Sanford, ME (18 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Dover
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
New Hampshire lending rules that apply in Dover
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Dover: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small loan APR cap (RSA 399-A:16) | Small loans other than payday or title loans: annual percentage rate capped at 36% Source says: "The annual percentage rate for small loans shall not exceed 36 percent." | New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per year in business transactions absent a written agreement; consumer credit transactions excluded Source says: "The annual rate of interest in all business transactions in which interest is paid or secured, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing, shall equal 10 percent." | New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal; annual percentage rate capped at 36% (RSA 399-A:17) Source says: "The annual percentage rate for payday loans shall not exceed 36 percent." | New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Small loan, payday, and title loan lenders must be licensed by the banking department (RSA 399-A:2) Source says: "No person shall engage in the business of a small loan lender in this state ... without first obtaining a license from the commissioner" | New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | New Hampshire Banking Department Source says: ""Department" means the banking department." | New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Dover
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Dover:
- 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 Hampshire using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.