Benzonia at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 558, placing it 420th among Michigan's 533 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 546 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 2.2% higher than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Michigan places: 420th of 533 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: about 21% of places in Michigan are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 44.6161, -86.0989 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Frankfort, MI (7 mi); Buckley, MI (22 mi); Traverse City, MI (26 mi); Manistee, MI (28 mi); Kingsley, MI (28 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller places close by: Beulah, MI (1 mi); Honor, MI (5 mi); Elberta, MI (7 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Benzonia
Personal loans are closed-end installment debt, so the monthly payment and the payoff date are known from the start.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Michigan lending rules that apply in Benzonia
The Michigan rate caps and licensing rules that reach Benzonia are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 7% per annum maximum by written agreement; 5% legal rate (MCL 438.31) Source says: "it shall be lawful for the parties to stipulate in writing for the payment of any rate of interest, not exceeding 7% per annum" | Michigan Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed — deferred presentment service transactions (2005 PA 244; MCL 487.2121 et seq.), licensed and regulated by DIFS Source says: "AN ACT to regulate the business of providing deferred presentment service transactions; to require the licensing of providers of deferred presentment service transactions" | Michigan Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | License required from the commissioner to make regulated loans (Regulatory Loan Act, MCL 493.1 et seq.) Source says: "a person shall not engage in the business of making loans of money ... without first obtaining a license from the commissioner" | Michigan Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Source says: ""Department" means the department of insurance and financial services" | Michigan Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Regulated lender interest/finance charge cap | 25% per annum (Credit Reform Act, MCL 445.1854(1)) Source says: "may charge, collect, and receive any rate of interest or finance charge for an extension of credit not to exceed 25% per annum" | Michigan Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Benzonia
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Benzonia:
- 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 Michigan using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.