Clifford at a glance
- Population: 309 people, the 489th-largest place among Michigan's 533 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 309 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: no meaningful change since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Michigan places: 489th by size among 533 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: larger than about 8% of the Census places in Michigan (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 43.3151, -83.1796 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Marlette, MI (5 mi); North Branch, MI (6 mi); Kingston, MI (7 mi); Mayville, MI (9 mi); Brown City, MI (12 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Smaller places close by: Melvin, MI (18 mi); Applegate, MI (27 mi); Owendale, MI (29 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Clifford
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
Michigan lending rules that apply in Clifford
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Michigan, and therefore in Clifford.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 7% per annum maximum by written agreement; 5% legal rate (MCL 438.31) Source says: "it shall be lawful for the parties to stipulate in writing for the payment of any rate of interest, not exceeding 7% per annum" | Michigan Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed — deferred presentment service transactions (2005 PA 244; MCL 487.2121 et seq.), licensed and regulated by DIFS Source says: "AN ACT to regulate the business of providing deferred presentment service transactions; to require the licensing of providers of deferred presentment service transactions" | Michigan Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | License required from the commissioner to make regulated loans (Regulatory Loan Act, MCL 493.1 et seq.) Source says: "a person shall not engage in the business of making loans of money ... without first obtaining a license from the commissioner" | Michigan Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Source says: ""Department" means the department of insurance and financial services" | Michigan Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Regulated lender interest/finance charge cap | 25% per annum (Credit Reform Act, MCL 445.1854(1)) Source says: "may charge, collect, and receive any rate of interest or finance charge for an extension of credit not to exceed 25% per annum" | Michigan Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Clifford
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Clifford:
- 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 Michigan using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.