Helena at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 209, placing it 823rd among Ohio's 924 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 210 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 0.5% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Ohio places: 823rd largest of 924 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 11% of places in Ohio are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 41.3403, -83.2919 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Gibsonburg, OH (4 mi); Lindsey, OH (7 mi); Bettsville, OH (7 mi); Bradner, OH (8 mi); Woodville, OH (9 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller places nearby: Burgoon, OH (5 mi); West Millgrove, OH (12 mi); Bairdstown, OH (20 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in Helena
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
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.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Ohio lending rules that apply in Helena
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Ohio, and therefore in Helena.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 8% per annum maximum by written agreement for the general case; higher rates permitted only in specified cases (e.g., principal over $100,000, business loans, certain mortgages). Source says: "may stipulate therein for the payment of interest upon the amount thereof at any rate not exceeding eight per cent per annum payable annually" (Ohio Rev. Code 1343.01(A)). [codes.ohio.gov content retrieved via search-engine fetch of the official section; direct connections blocked from our network] | Ohio Laws (Ohio Revised Code - official state publication) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal for licensed short-term lenders; interest capped at 28% per annum; total fees and charges capped at 60% of the originally contracted loan amount. Source says: "(A) Interest not exceeding a rate of twenty-eight per cent per annum" (Ohio Rev. Code 1321.40); total fees/charges capped at "a total amount of fees and charges that exceeds sixty per cent of the originally contracted loan amount" (1321.403). | Ohio Laws (Ohio Revised Code - official state publication) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer finance licenses required for non-depository lenders, including Consumer Installment Loan Act lenders, General Loan Law lenders, short-term lenders, and small loan lenders. Source says: "We issue and manage licenses for companies and individuals under multiple Ohio statutes." (page's regulated-statutes list names Consumer Installment Loan Act lenders, General Loan Law lenders, Short-term lenders, Small loan lenders). | Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Financial Institutions (Consumer Finance Section). Source says: "The Consumer Finance Section is responsible for regulating non-depository consumer lenders and related consumer finance businesses." | Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Helena
Before you share your details with a lender in Helena:
- 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 Ohio using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.