Newport News at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 183,118 residents, ranking 5th of 227 places in Virginia (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 186,245 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 1.7% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Virginia places: 5th out of 227 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: larger than about 98% of the Census places in Virginia (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 37.0761, longitude -76.5220 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Norfolk, VA (19 mi); Chesapeake, VA (30 mi); Virginia Beach, VA (34 mi); Richmond, VA (61 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller towns: Smithfield, VA (9 mi); Hampton, VA (13 mi); Poquoson, VA (13 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Newport News
Personal loans are closed-end installment debt, so the monthly payment and the payoff date are known from the start.
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.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Virginia lending rules that apply in Newport News
The table lists the Virginia rules that apply to a loan made in Newport News, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Financial Institutions (BFI) Source says: The Bureau of Financial Institutions (BFI) is a regulatory division of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC.) | Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per year maximum contract rate, except as otherwise permitted by law (Va. Code § 6.2-303) Source says: no contract shall be made for the payment of interest on a loan at a rate that exceeds 12 percent per year | Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal via licensed short-term lenders; interest capped at a 36% simple annual rate plus limited fees (Va. Code § 6.2-1817) Source says: Interest at a simple annual rate not to exceed 36 percent | Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer finance license required from the State Corporation Commission (Va. Code § 6.2-1501) Source says: No person shall engage in the business of making loans to individuals for personal, family, household, or other nonbusiness purposes | Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Newport News
A few practical steps will make the process in Newport News 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 Virginia using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.