Plainfield at a glance
- Population: about 54,670, 16th by size in New Jersey of 323 places (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 54,598 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 0.1% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among New Jersey places: 16th of the state's 323 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 95% of New Jersey places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 40.6154, -74.4158 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: New Brunswick, NJ (9 mi); Perth Amboy, NJ (10 mi); Elizabeth, NJ (12 mi); Newark, NJ (15 mi); East Orange, NJ (15 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller communities: North Plainfield, NJ (1 mi); Watchung, NJ (2 mi); Fanwood, NJ (2 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Plainfield
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
New Jersey lending rules that apply in Plainfield
The table lists the New Jersey rules that apply to a loan made in Plainfield, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Plainfield
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Plainfield:
- 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.