Belle Plaine at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 7,416 residents, ranking 124th of 853 places in Minnesota (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 7,380 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: an increase of about 0.5% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Minnesota places: 124th-largest of 853 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: about 85% of Minnesota's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 44.6198 / -93.7646, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: New Prague, MN (11 mi); Waconia, MN (15 mi); Chaska, MN (16 mi); Prior Lake, MN (18 mi); Victoria, MN (18 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller towns: Jordan, MN (7 mi); Henderson, MN (10 mi); Cologne, MN (10 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Belle Plaine
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
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.
Minnesota lending rules that apply in Belle Plaine
The table lists the Minnesota rules that apply to a loan made in Belle Plaine, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed; APR capped at 36%, or up to 50% with an ability-to-repay analysis (Minn. Stat. §§ 47.60, 47.601, 47.603) Source says: "The cap on that annual percentage rate is set at either 36%, or up to 50% if the lender conducts an ability to repay analysis" | Minnesota Department of Commerce as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated loan license required from the commissioner for loans within the Chapter 56 threshold (Minn. Stat. § 56.01) Source says: "without first obtaining a license from the commissioner, no person shall engage in the business of making loans of money" | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Minnesota Department of Commerce (commissioner of commerce) Source says: ""Commissioner" means the commissioner of commerce" | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday ability-to-repay requirement | Required for payday loans with an APR above 36% (Minn. Stat. § 47.603) Source says: "This section applies to all payday loans with an annual percentage rate that exceeds 36 percent." | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 6% per year legal rate of interest; a different rate may be contracted for in writing (Minn. Stat. § 334.01) Source says: "The interest for any legal indebtedness shall be at the rate of $6 upon $100 for a year" | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Belle Plaine
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Belle Plaine:
- 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 Minnesota using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.