Columbia at a glance
- Population: 4,880, the 80th-largest community in Kentucky out of 416 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 4,847 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a gain of roughly 0.7% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Kentucky places: 80th of 416 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: roughly 81% of places in Kentucky rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 37.1034, longitude -85.3075 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Campbellsville, KY (17 mi); Monticello, KY (31 mi); Lebanon, KY (32 mi); Glasgow, KY (35 mi); Somerset, KY (39 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller towns: Russell Springs, KY (13 mi); Greensburg, KY (15 mi); Jamestown, KY (16 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Columbia
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
Compare offers on APR rather than the headline rate — the APR includes most fees, and you can model the total with our personal loan calculator.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Before you borrow, decide what the loan is for and whether the monthly payment fits a budget you can already meet without taking on new debt.
Kentucky lending rules that apply in Columbia
Each row below is a Kentucky rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) Source says: "The Department of Financial Institutions' mission is to serve Kentucky residents by promoting access to a stable financial industry, implementing effective and efficient regulatory oversight". | Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Consumer Loan Company license — statutory basis | License required from the commissioner to make loans at a greater rate of interest than otherwise permitted by law Source says: "No person shall, without first obtaining a license from the commissioner, engage in the business of making loans ... at a greater rate of interest". | Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (Kentucky Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | Up to 19% per annum, or 4% over the 90-day commercial-paper discount rate, whichever is less (by written agreement) Source says: "At a per annum rate not to exceed four percent (4%) in excess of the discount rate on ninety (90) day commercial paper ... or nineteen percent (19%), whichever is less". | Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (Kentucky Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (deferred deposit service business; payday loans) Source says: "The Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has secured the services of Veritec Solutions, LLC to provide a common database with real-time access for deferred deposit transactions". | Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Loan Company license required (KRS Chapter 286.4) Source says: "How to License a Consumer Loan Company: 1. Read KRS 286.4 and the applicable administrative regulations under KAR 808, Chapter 6". | Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Columbia
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Columbia:
- 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 Kentucky using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.