Essex at a glance
- Population: roughly 399 people; 511th of 937 places in Missouri (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 405 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 1.5% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Missouri places: 511th by size among 937 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 45% of the places in Missouri (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 36.8118, -89.8626 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Dexter, MO (6 mi); Bloomfield, MO (6 mi); Morehouse, MO (10 mi); Bernie, MO (11 mi); Parma, MO (14 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller towns: Penermon, MO (2 mi); Canalou, MO (11 mi); Dudley, MO (13 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Essex
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.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
Missouri lending rules that apply in Essex
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Essex: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer credit lenders licensed and regulated by the Division of Finance's consumer credit section (Chapters 367 and 408, RSMo) Source says: "The consumer credit section of the Missouri Division of Finance is responsible for licensing and regulating various types of consumer finance companies" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Missouri Division of Finance (Department of Commerce and Insurance) Source says: "We regulate state-chartered banks, trust companies, consumer credit facilities, mortgage brokers, and savings and loan institutions" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Additional loan fee cap (30+ day loans) | Up to 10% of principal, capped at $100 (RSMo § 408.140) Source says: "a fee, not to exceed ten percent of the principal amount loaned not to exceed one hundred dollars may be charged by the lender" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per annum, or the higher published 'market rate' (RSMo § 408.030) Source says: "a rate of interest not exceeding ten percent per annum on money due or to become due upon any contract" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed — unsecured loans of $500 or less require a license from the Director of the Division of Finance (RSMo § 408.500) Source says: "in the business of making unsecured loans of five hundred dollars or less shall obtain a license from the director of the division of finance" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Essex
Before you share your details with a lender in Essex:
- 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 Missouri using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.