Personal loans in Barnstable Town, MA
Barnstable Town, MA is a small city in Massachusetts with a Census-estimated population of 49,709, making it the 25th-largest of 54 places in the state. Its population grew about 1.6% between the 2020 Census base and the 2023 estimate. Borrowers in Barnstable Town compare personal loans the same way borrowers do anywhere in Massachusetts: the lender prices the loan from your credit history, income and debt load, not from your city.
What is specific to borrowing in Barnstable Town
- Population: 49,709 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate) — the 25th-largest place of 54 in Massachusetts.
- Population trend: Its population grew about 1.6% between the 2020 Census base and the 2023 estimate.
- Size percentile: larger than about 54% of the Census places in Massachusetts.
- Location: 41.6615, -70.3570 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: New Bedford (30 mi); Fall River (38 mi); Taunton (42 mi); Brockton (45 mi); Weymouth Town (48 mi). Larger metros often have more walk-in branches, but online lenders serve Barnstable Town on the same terms.
- Nearest smaller towns: Bridgewater Town (39 mi); Braintree Town (50 mi); Randolph Town (51 mi).
Massachusetts lending rules that apply in Barnstable Town
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 20% per annum criminal-usury threshold (M.G.L. c. 271, § 49); statutory exceptions apply Source says: "interest and expenses the aggregate of which exceeds an amount greater than twenty per centum per annum upon the sum loaned" | Massachusetts General Court as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Restricted: DOB states payday lending is not prohibited, but a 'payday loan' is illegal due to the high APR Source says: "Payday lending is not prohibited in Massachusetts. Yet what is referred to as a 'payday loan' is illegal" | Massachusetts Division of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Small-loan license required for loans of $6,000 or less when interest and expenses exceed 12% per year (M.G.L. c. 140, § 96) Source says: "No person shall directly or indirectly engage in the business of making loans of six thousand dollars or less ... without first obtaining ... a license" | Massachusetts General Court as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Division of Banks (Office of the Commissioner of Banks) Source says: "The Division of Banks (DOB) cautions you when applying for a payday loan" | Massachusetts Division of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan rate order | Maximum 23% per annum plus a $20 administrative fee (209 CMR 26.00/26.01) Source says: "Regulation 209 CMR 26.00 et seq. limits the annual interest rate that can be charged on small loans to 23%" | Massachusetts Division of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
How a personal loan works in Barnstable Town
A personal loan in Barnstable Town 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. Because the payment is fixed, the total cost is predictable up front — which is the main advantage over a credit card, where the balance revolves and the payoff date is open-ended. The two numbers that matter are the APR (which includes fees, not just interest) and the term. A longer term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay.
Before you apply in Barnstable Town
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run the numbers with our personal loan calculator so you know the payment before a lender tells you.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check the lender is licensed in Massachusetts using the regulator listed above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I get a personal loan with bad credit in Barnstable Town?
How much can I borrow with a personal loan in Barnstable Town?
Does a personal loan in Barnstable Town require collateral?
Will shopping for a loan in Barnstable Town hurt my credit?
Nearby places
- New Bedford, MA — population 100,695
- Bridgewater Town, MA — population 28,818
- Fall River, MA — population 93,840
- Taunton, MA — population 60,412
- Brockton, MA — population 104,890
- Weymouth Town, MA — population 59,114
- Braintree Town, MA — population 38,490
- Randolph Town, MA — population 34,487