Clayton at a glance
- Population: 546, the 460th-largest community in Wisconsin out of 605 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 551 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: down roughly 0.9% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: the 460th-largest of 605 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: roughly 24% of places in Wisconsin rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 45.3275 / -92.1645, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Turtle Lake, WI (4 mi); Clear Lake, WI (7 mi); Almena, WI (9 mi); Amery, WI (10 mi); Cumberland, WI (16 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Smaller places nearby: Prairie Farm, WI (11 mi); Deer Park, WI (15 mi); Ridgeland, WI (16 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in Clayton
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed 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.
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.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Clayton
The table carries the Wisconsin rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Clayton.
| 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 Clayton
A few practical steps will make the process in Clayton 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 Wisconsin using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.