Ackley at a glance
- Population: about 1,538, 203rd by size in Iowa of 940 places (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 1,599 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 3.8% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 203rd of the state's 940 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 78% of places in Iowa are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 42.5517 latitude, -93.0523 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Iowa Falls, IA (11 mi); Eldora, IA (13 mi); Parkersburg, IA (14 mi); Hampton, IA (15 mi); Grundy Center, IA (19 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Smaller towns nearby: Aplington, IA (9 mi); Geneva, IA (9 mi); Steamboat Rock, IA (10 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Ackley
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
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.
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.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Ackley
The table lists the Iowa rules that apply to a loan made in Ackley, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (delayed deposit services; must be physically located in Iowa) Source says: "A person shall not operate a delayed deposit services business in this state unless the person is physically located in this state and licensed by the superintendent". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated Loan Act license required (superintendent of banking) Source says: "shall not engage in the business of making loans ... without first obtaining a license from the superintendent of banking". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Iowa Division of Banking (IDOB), Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services Source says: "As part of the 2023 state government realignment, the IDOB became part of a new Department of Insurance and Financial Services". | Iowa Division of Banking as of 2026-09-16 |
| Delayed deposit fee cap | Fee cap: $15 on first $100 of check face amount; $10 on subsequent $100 increments Source says: "fifteen dollars on the first one hundred dollars ... or more than ten dollars on subsequent one hundred dollar increments". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 2 percentage points above the monthly average 10-year U.S. Treasury constant maturity rate (written agreements) Source says: "The maximum lawful rate of interest ... in any written agreement ... shall be two percentage points above the monthly average ten-year constant maturity interest rate". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Ackley
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Ackley:
- 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 Iowa using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.