Fountain City at a glance
- Population: about 778 residents, ranking 403rd of 605 Census places in Wisconsin (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 803 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 3.1% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 403rd of 605 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 33% of Wisconsin's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 44.1188, -91.6898 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Goodview, MN (4 mi); Winona, MN (5 mi); Stockton, MN (7 mi); Buffalo City, WI (11 mi); Lewiston, MN (13 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller places close by: Minnesota City, MN (4 mi); Rollingstone, MN (7 mi); Cochrane, WI (11 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Fountain City
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.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
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.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Fountain City
The table lists the Wisconsin rules that apply to a loan made in Fountain City, each with the regulator that published it.
| 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 Fountain City
A few practical steps will make the process in Fountain 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 Wisconsin using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.