South Dayton at a glance
- Population: 550 residents, the 511th-largest of 595 places in New York (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 565 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 2.7% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among New York places: 511th out of 595 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 14% of places in New York rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 42.3628, longitude -79.0510 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Gowanda, NY (9 mi); Cattaraugus, NY (10 mi); Sinclairville, NY (13 mi); Cassadaga, NY (14 mi); Silver Creek, NY (14 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller communities: Farnham, NY (16 mi); Ellicottville, NY (20 mi); Bemus Point, NY (22 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in South Dayton
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.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
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 South Dayton
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving South Dayton: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in South Dayton
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in South Dayton:
- 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.