Albia at a glance
- Population: 3,661 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 108th-largest of 940 places in Iowa.
- 2020 Census base: 3,716 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down roughly 1.5% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 108th of the state's 940 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 89% of Iowa places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 41.0265, -92.8038 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Ottumwa, IA (20 mi); Oskaloosa, IA (20 mi); Centerville, IA (21 mi); Knoxville, IA (25 mi); Chariton, IA (26 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller places: Lovilia, IA (9 mi); Moravia, IA (9 mi); Blakesburg, IA (10 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Albia
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.
A lender weighs your credit profile, income and debts when setting the rate, and a longer term lowers the payment at the cost of more interest overall.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Albia
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Iowa, and therefore in Albia.
| 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 Albia
Before you commit to a personal loan in Albia, work through these steps:
- 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.