Hartley at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 1,570, placing it 199th among Iowa's 940 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 1,606 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 2.2% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 199th-largest of 940 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 79% of the places in Iowa (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 43.1791, longitude -95.4768 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Spencer, IA (16 mi); Sheldon, IA (18 mi); Milford, IA (20 mi); Sibley, IA (20 mi); Spirit Lake, IA (25 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller communities: Everly, IA (8 mi); Sanborn, IA (9 mi); Primghar, IA (10 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Hartley
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
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.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
If you are consolidating debt, the loan only helps if you stop adding to the balances it clears; otherwise the total debt grows.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Hartley
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 2 percentage points above the monthly average 10-year U.S. Treasury constant maturity rate (written agreements) Source says: "The maximum lawful rate of interest ... in any written agreement ... shall be two percentage points above the monthly average ten-year constant maturity interest rate". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (delayed deposit services; must be physically located in Iowa) Source says: "A person shall not operate a delayed deposit services business in this state unless the person is physically located in this state and licensed by the superintendent". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated Loan Act license required (superintendent of banking) Source says: "shall not engage in the business of making loans ... without first obtaining a license from the superintendent of banking". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Iowa Division of Banking (IDOB), Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services Source says: "As part of the 2023 state government realignment, the IDOB became part of a new Department of Insurance and Financial Services". | Iowa Division of Banking as of 2026-09-16 |
| Delayed deposit fee cap | Fee cap: $15 on first $100 of check face amount; $10 on subsequent $100 increments Source says: "fifteen dollars on the first one hundred dollars ... or more than ten dollars on subsequent one hundred dollar increments". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Hartley
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Hartley:
- 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 Iowa using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.