Galena at a glance
- Population: about 476 residents, ranking 478th of 937 Census places in Missouri (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 454 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a gain of roughly 4.8% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Missouri places: 478th of the state's 937 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 49% of Missouri's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 36.8032, longitude -93.4695 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Reeds Spring, MO (7 mi); Crane, MO (9 mi); Branson West, MO (9 mi); Kimberling City, MO (11 mi); Indian Point, MO (13 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Smaller towns nearby: McCord Bend, MO (2 mi); Hurley, MO (9 mi); Saddlebrooke, MO (15 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Galena
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
APR is the figure that lets you compare like with like, since it wraps fees into the rate; run your own numbers with the personal loan calculator.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
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 Galena
Each row below is a Missouri rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Galena
Before you commit to a personal loan in Galena, work through these steps:
- 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.