Canton at a glance
- Population: 12,875 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 186th-largest of 1,294 places in Illinois.
- 2020 Census base: 13,318 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 3.3% below the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Illinois places: 186th out of 1,294 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 86% of Illinois's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 40.5639 / -90.0366, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Pekin, IL (22 mi); Peoria, IL (26 mi); East Peoria, IL (27 mi); Morton, IL (30 mi); Galesburg, IL (32 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller towns: Norris, IL (4 mi); Dunfermline, IL (5 mi); St. David, IL (5 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Canton
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
Because the APR includes origination and finance charges, it is the honest comparison number; the personal loan calculator turns an APR and term into a monthly payment.
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.
Illinois lending rules that apply in Canton
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Illinois, and therefore in Canton.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Canton
A few practical steps will make the process in Canton less costly:
- 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.