Franklin at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 35,485 residents, ranking 24th of 605 places in Wisconsin (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 36,138 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 1.8% below the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 24th largest of 605 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 96% of Wisconsin's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 42.8839, -88.0115 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Greenfield, WI (5 mi); Oak Creek, WI (6 mi); New Berlin, WI (9 mi); West Allis, WI (9 mi); Wauwatosa, WI (12 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller communities: Greendale, WI (4 mi); Hales Corners, WI (4 mi); Raymond, WI (6 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Franklin
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Franklin
Every figure in the table below is sourced to a publisher with a date; where a state does not publish a number, we say so rather than estimate.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Franklin
Before you share your details with a lender in Franklin:
- 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.