Buffalo City at a glance
- Population: 1,016, the 365th-largest community in Wisconsin out of 605 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 1,014 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: up about 0.2% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 365th-largest of 605 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 40% of Wisconsin's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 44.2232, longitude -91.8659 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Goodview, MN (13 mi); Wabasha, MN (14 mi); Winona, MN (15 mi); Plainview, MN (16 mi); Lewiston, MN (17 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller towns: Cochrane, WI (1 mi); Minneiska, MN (2 mi); Alma, WI (8 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Buffalo City
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
Two loans can share an interest rate and still differ in APR once fees are counted, so compare APR; our personal loan calculator shows the difference over the full term.
Lenders weigh your credit history, income and debts when they set the rate, and the term you choose then determines how that rate compounds into total cost.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Buffalo City
The Wisconsin rate caps and licensing rules that reach Buffalo City are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Buffalo City
Before you commit to a personal loan in Buffalo City, work through these steps:
- 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.