Almena at a glance
- Population: 704 residents, the 426th-largest of 605 places in Wisconsin (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 707 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 0.4% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 426th out of 605 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 30% of Wisconsin's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 45.4149, -92.0383.
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Turtle Lake, WI (6 mi); Cumberland, WI (8 mi); Barron, WI (9 mi); Cameron, WI (15 mi); Rice Lake, WI (15 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller towns: Clayton, WI (9 mi); Prairie Farm, WI (13 mi); Dallas, WI (15 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Almena
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
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.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Almena
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Almena: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Licensed lender license required from the Division of Banking (Wis. Stat. § 138.09) Source says: Before any person may do business under this section, that person shall first obtain a license from the division. | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Division of Banking Source says: "Department" means the department of financial institutions | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per year maximum ($12 per $100) on the declining principal balance, except as authorized by other statutes (Wis. Stat. § 138.05(1)(a)) Source says: At the rate of $12 upon $100 for one year computed upon the declining principal balance of the loan or forbearance | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed by the DFI Division of Banking; statewide database tracking (Wis. Stat. § 138.14) Source says: "Licensee" means a person holding a license issued by the division under sub. (5) | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Almena
Before you share your details with a lender in Almena:
- 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 Wisconsin using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.