Centralia at a glance
- Population: roughly 4,728 people; 140th of 937 places in Missouri (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 4,548 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: an increase of about 4.0% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Missouri places: the 140th-largest of 937 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 85% of the places in Missouri (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 39.2108, -92.1343 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Mexico, MO (14 mi); Columbia, MO (21 mi); Moberly, MO (22 mi); Fulton, MO (26 mi); Ashland, MO (28 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Hallsville, MO (8 mi); Sturgeon, MO (8 mi); Clark, MO (13 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Centralia
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
APR is the figure that lets you compare like with like, since it wraps fees into the rate; run your own numbers with the personal loan calculator.
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.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Missouri lending rules that apply in Centralia
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Missouri, and therefore in Centralia.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Additional loan fee cap (30+ day loans) | Up to 10% of principal, capped at $100 (RSMo § 408.140) Source says: "a fee, not to exceed ten percent of the principal amount loaned not to exceed one hundred dollars may be charged by the lender" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per annum, or the higher published 'market rate' (RSMo § 408.030) Source says: "a rate of interest not exceeding ten percent per annum on money due or to become due upon any contract" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed — unsecured loans of $500 or less require a license from the Director of the Division of Finance (RSMo § 408.500) Source says: "in the business of making unsecured loans of five hundred dollars or less shall obtain a license from the director of the division of finance" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer credit lenders licensed and regulated by the Division of Finance's consumer credit section (Chapters 367 and 408, RSMo) Source says: "The consumer credit section of the Missouri Division of Finance is responsible for licensing and regulating various types of consumer finance companies" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Missouri Division of Finance (Department of Commerce and Insurance) Source says: "We regulate state-chartered banks, trust companies, consumer credit facilities, mortgage brokers, and savings and loan institutions" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Centralia
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Centralia:
- 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 Missouri using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.