Atchison at a glance
- Population: roughly 10,670 people; 35th of 625 places in Kansas (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 10,885 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 2.0% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Kansas places: 35th by size among 625 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 94% of Kansas's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 39.5626, -95.1366 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Leavenworth, KS (20 mi); St. Joseph, MO (22 mi); Lansing, KS (25 mi); Smithville, MO (32 mi); Kansas City, KS (37 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller places: Lewis and Clark Village, MO (5 mi); Rushville, MO (6 mi); Lancaster, KS (9 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Atchison
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Kansas lending rules that apply in Atchison
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Atchison: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC) Source says: "The Office of the State Bank Commissioner regulates all state-chartered banks, trust companies, mortgage businesses, supervised lenders, credit service organizations, earned wage access service providers, and money transmitters". | Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner as of 2026-09-16 |
| UCCC consumer loan rate caps | 36% on first $860 of unpaid balance; 21% above $860 (closed-end consumer loans) Source says: "36% on the unpaid principal balance which is $860 or less, and 21% on the unpaid principal balance which exceeds $860". | Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 15% per annum (general contract-rate ceiling for written instruments) Source says: "may stipulate therein for interest receivable ... at a rate not to exceed 15% per annum unless otherwise specifically authorized by law". | Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (payday cash advances of $500 or less; charge capped at 15%) Source says: "a licensed or supervised lender may charge an amount not to exceed 15% of the amount of the cash advance". | Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Supervised lender license required (supervised loans) Source says: "Unless a person is exempt from licensing ... such person shall not engage in the business of: (a) Making supervised loans". | Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Atchison
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Atchison:
- 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 Kansas using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.