Belleville at a glance
- Population: 40,726, the 39th-largest community in Illinois out of 1,294 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 42,375 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 3.9% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Illinois places: the 39th-largest of 1,294 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: larger than about 97% of the Census places in Illinois (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 38.5160 latitude, -89.9898 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: St. Louis, MO (16 mi); Florissant, MO (27 mi); Chesterfield, MO (33 mi); St. Charles, MO (34 mi); St. Peters, MO (38 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller communities: Swansea, IL (2 mi); Shiloh, IL (5 mi); Fairview Heights, IL (6 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Belleville
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
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.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Illinois lending rules that apply in Belleville
Every figure in the table below is sourced to a publisher with a date; where a state does not publish a number, we say so rather than estimate.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Installment lender net-worth requirement | $30,000 minimum positive net worth (plus $25,000 surety bond) Source says: "every applicant shall prove ... that the applicant has and will maintain a positive net worth of a minimum of $30,000". | Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 9% annual percentage rate (general written-contract interest cap) Source says: "it shall be lawful for the parties to stipulate or agree that an annual percentage rate of 9%, or any less sum". | Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license; capped at 36% annual percentage rate (payday loans) Source says: "shall not contract for or receive a charge exceeding a 36% annual percentage rate ... for a payday loan". | Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Installment Loan Act license required from the Director of Financial Institutions (loans above 9% APR) Source says: "No person ... shall engage in the business of making loans of money ... except ... after first obtaining a license from the Director of Financial Institutions". | Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Financial Institutions Source says: "DFI licenses, charters, and examines a wide variety of financial products and services including: Consumer and Sales Finance and Collection Agencies". | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Belleville
Run through this list before signing anything in Belleville:
- 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 Illinois using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.