Cottage Grove at a glance
- Population: roughly 8,880 people; 109th of 605 places in Wisconsin (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 7,298 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 21.7% higher than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 109th largest of 605 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 82% of places in Wisconsin are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 43.0922, -89.2053 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: McFarland, WI (6 mi); Sun Prairie, WI (6 mi); Windsor, WI (11 mi); Madison, WI (11 mi); Stoughton, WI (12 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller towns: Monona, WI (7 mi); Deerfield, WI (7 mi); Maple Bluff, WI (9 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Cottage Grove
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.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
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.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Cottage Grove
The table carries the Wisconsin rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Cottage Grove.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Cottage Grove
Before you share your details with a lender in Cottage Grove:
- 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.