Forest City at a glance
- Population: 246 — 614th in Missouri, which has 937 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 244 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a gain of roughly 0.8% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Missouri places: 614th largest of 937 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 34% of the places in Missouri (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 39.9830 / -95.1883, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Oregon, MO (2 mi); Highland, KS (9 mi); Mound City, MO (11 mi); Troy, KS (15 mi); Maitland, MO (16 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Smaller places close by: White Cloud, KS (6 mi); Fortescue, MO (8 mi); Bigelow, MO (10 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Forest City
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Missouri lending rules that apply in Forest City
The table lists the Missouri rules that apply to a loan made in Forest City, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Forest City
A few practical steps will make the process in Forest City less costly:
- 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.