Clear Lake at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 7,567 residents, ranking 53rd of 940 places in Iowa (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 7,676 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 1.4% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 53rd by size among 940 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: larger than about 94% of the Census places in Iowa (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 43.1351, -93.3737.
- Nearest larger cities: Mason City, IA (9 mi); Albert Lea, MN (36 mi); Austin, MN (42 mi); Webster City, IA (52 mi); Waverly, IA (54 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller towns: Ventura, IA (5 mi); Fertile, IA (9 mi); Hanlontown, IA (10 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Clear Lake
A personal loan is an installment loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years.
APR, not the simple interest rate, reflects what the loan actually costs once fees are included; the personal loan calculator puts a figure on it.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
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.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Clear Lake
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Iowa, and therefore in Clear Lake.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Clear Lake
Before you commit to a personal loan in Clear Lake, 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.