Central City at a glance
- Population: 1,241 people, the 236th-largest place among Iowa's 940 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 1,266 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 2.0% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 236th of 940 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: roughly 75% of Iowa's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 42.2014, -91.5230 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Marion, IA (11 mi); Robins, IA (11 mi); Hiawatha, IA (13 mi); Center Point, IA (13 mi); Anamosa, IA (14 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Smaller places close by: Coggon, IA (5 mi); Prairieburg, IA (6 mi); Alburnett, IA (6 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Central City
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.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
If you are consolidating debt, the loan only helps if you stop adding to the balances it clears; otherwise the total debt grows.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Central City
The table lists the Iowa rules that apply to a loan made in Central City, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Delayed deposit fee cap | Fee cap: $15 on first $100 of check face amount; $10 on subsequent $100 increments Source says: "fifteen dollars on the first one hundred dollars ... or more than ten dollars on subsequent one hundred dollar increments". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 2 percentage points above the monthly average 10-year U.S. Treasury constant maturity rate (written agreements) Source says: "The maximum lawful rate of interest ... in any written agreement ... shall be two percentage points above the monthly average ten-year constant maturity interest rate". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (delayed deposit services; must be physically located in Iowa) Source says: "A person shall not operate a delayed deposit services business in this state unless the person is physically located in this state and licensed by the superintendent". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated Loan Act license required (superintendent of banking) Source says: "shall not engage in the business of making loans ... without first obtaining a license from the superintendent of banking". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Iowa Division of Banking (IDOB), Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services Source says: "As part of the 2023 state government realignment, the IDOB became part of a new Department of Insurance and Financial Services". | Iowa Division of Banking as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Central City
Before you commit to a personal loan in Central 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 Iowa using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.