Jefferson at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 15,756, placing it 72nd among Georgia's 536 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 13,262 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 18.8% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Georgia places: 72nd in population of 536 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 87% of Georgia's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 34.1362, -83.6022 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Winder, GA (12 mi); Gainesville, GA (17 mi); Buford, GA (22 mi); Monroe, GA (24 mi); Sugar Hill, GA (25 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller communities: Pendergrass, GA (5 mi); Arcade, GA (6 mi); Talmo, GA (7 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Jefferson
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
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.
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.
Georgia lending rules that apply in Jefferson
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Georgia, and therefore in Jefferson.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | See the latest published figure value_text left null: Georgia's rate ceilings are set by O.C.G.A. Title 7, Chapter 4 (O.C.G.A. §§ 7-4-1 to 7-4-21); the Department of Banking and Finance does not publish the figure and the official code host could not be fetched, so no figure is asserted. | Georgia Department of Banking and Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Prohibited (payday lending illegal in Georgia) Source says: "Payday lending is illegal in Georgia." | Georgia Department of Banking and Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Installment lender license required for loans of $3,000 or less Source says: "any entity making loans of $3,000.00 or less to individuals must be licensed with the Department as an installment lender". | Georgia Department of Banking and Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (DBF) Source says: "The Non-depository division supervises mortgage lenders, mortgage brokers, and mortgage loan originators, as well as installment lenders, check cashers, and money transmitters". | Georgia Department of Banking and Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Installment Loan Act rate cap | 10% per annum of the face amount of the contract (licensed installment loans) Source says: "may charge interest at a rate not to exceed 10 percent per annum of the face amount of the contract". | Georgia Department of Banking and Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Jefferson
A few practical steps will make the process in Jefferson less costly:
- 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 Georgia using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.