Caledonia at a glance
- Population: 25,326, the 34th-largest community in Wisconsin out of 605 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 25,351 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 0.1% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 34th out of 605 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 94% of places in Wisconsin are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 42.7974, -87.8774 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Oak Creek, WI (6 mi); Racine, WI (6 mi); Mount Pleasant, WI (6 mi); Franklin, WI (9 mi); Greenfield, WI (13 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Smaller towns nearby: North Bay, WI (5 mi); Wind Point, WI (5 mi); Raymond, WI (7 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Caledonia
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.
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.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Caledonia
The table lists the Wisconsin rules that apply to a loan made in Caledonia, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Caledonia
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Caledonia:
- 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.