Thatcher at a glance
- Population: 5,486 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 54th-largest of 91 places in Arizona.
- 2020 Census base: 5,286 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: an increase of about 3.8% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Arizona places: 54th out of 91 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: larger than about 41% of the Census places in Arizona (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 32.8127, -109.7665 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Safford, AZ (4 mi); Globe, AZ (69 mi); Oro Valley, AZ (75 mi); Tucson, AZ (79 mi); Marana, AZ (83 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Nearest smaller places: Pima, AZ (7 mi); Clifton, AZ (32 mi); Willcox, AZ (39 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Thatcher
A personal loan is an installment loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
Arizona lending rules that apply in Thatcher
The table carries the Arizona rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Thatcher.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | Not permitted — payday lending authorization expired June 30, 2010; DIFI no longer licenses payday lenders; consumer loans over 36% APR illegal since July 1, 2010 Source says: "The law allowing payday loans in Arizona expired on June 30, 2010. DIFI no longer licenses payday lenders." | Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer lender license required from the deputy director (A.R.S. Title 6, Chapter 5); at least $25,000 in assets readily available per licensed office; license not transferable Source says: "shall not engage in the business of a consumer lender without first being licensed as a consumer lender". | Arizona State Legislature — A.R.S. § 6-603 as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) Source says: "The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI)". | Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Consumer lender loan rate caps (§ 6-632) | Consumer loans: 36% per year on principal up to $3,000; for larger loans, 36% on the first $3,000 and 24% above $3,000 Source says: "a consumer loan rate of thirty-six per cent"; "a consumer loan rate of twenty-four per cent on that part of the principal amount greater than three thousand dollars". | Arizona State Legislature — A.R.S. § 6-632 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per year default; any rate may be agreed in writing (other than medical debt) Source says: "interest shall be at the rate of ten percent a year, unless a different rate is contracted for in writing". | Arizona State Legislature — A.R.S. § 44-1201 as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Thatcher
A few practical steps will make the process in Thatcher 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 Arizona using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.