Highland Falls at a glance
- Population: about 3,647 residents, ranking 207th of 595 Census places in New York (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 3,727 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 2.1% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among New York places: 207th out of 595 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 65% of places in New York rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 41.3646 latitude, -73.9689 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Peekskill, NY (6 mi); Woodbury, NY (7 mi); Beacon, NY (10 mi); Newburgh, NY (10 mi); South Blooming Grove, NY (10 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller towns: Cold Spring, NY (4 mi); Nelsonville, NY (5 mi); Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY (5 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Highland Falls
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
Because the APR includes origination and finance charges, it is the honest comparison number; the personal loan calculator turns an APR and term into a monthly payment.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
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 York lending rules that apply in Highland Falls
The table lists the New York rules that apply to a loan made in Highland Falls, each with the regulator that published it.
| 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 Highland Falls
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Highland Falls:
- 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.