International Falls at a glance
- Population: 5,603 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 140th-largest of 853 places in Minnesota.
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 5,808 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 3.5% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Minnesota places: 140th of the state's 853 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 84% of Minnesota's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 48.5864, -93.4077 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Virginia, MN (84 mi); Hibbing, MN (85 mi); Grand Rapids, MN (93 mi); Bemidji, MN (102 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller communities: Ranier, MN (3 mi); Littlefork, MN (15 mi); Big Falls, MN (34 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in International Falls
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Minnesota lending rules that apply in International Falls
The table lists the Minnesota rules that apply to a loan made in International Falls, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated loan license required from the commissioner for loans within the Chapter 56 threshold (Minn. Stat. § 56.01) Source says: "without first obtaining a license from the commissioner, no person shall engage in the business of making loans of money" | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Minnesota Department of Commerce (commissioner of commerce) Source says: ""Commissioner" means the commissioner of commerce" | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday ability-to-repay requirement | Required for payday loans with an APR above 36% (Minn. Stat. § 47.603) Source says: "This section applies to all payday loans with an annual percentage rate that exceeds 36 percent." | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 6% per year legal rate of interest; a different rate may be contracted for in writing (Minn. Stat. § 334.01) Source says: "The interest for any legal indebtedness shall be at the rate of $6 upon $100 for a year" | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed; APR capped at 36%, or up to 50% with an ability-to-repay analysis (Minn. Stat. §§ 47.60, 47.601, 47.603) Source says: "The cap on that annual percentage rate is set at either 36%, or up to 50% if the lender conducts an ability to repay analysis" | Minnesota Department of Commerce as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in International Falls
Before you commit to a personal loan in International Falls, 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 Minnesota using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.