Jefferson at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 4,100, placing it 101st among Iowa's 940 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 4,182 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 2.0% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 101st out of 940 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 89% of Iowa's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 42.0177 / -94.3794, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Perry, IA (19 mi); Carroll, IA (25 mi); Boone, IA (26 mi); Adel, IA (34 mi); Fort Dodge, IA (36 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Smaller places nearby: Grand Junction, IA (7 mi); Scranton, IA (9 mi); Dana, IA (10 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in Jefferson
A personal loan is an installment loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years.
Because the APR includes origination and finance charges, it is the honest comparison number; the personal loan calculator turns an APR and term into a monthly payment.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Jefferson
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Jefferson: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| 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 Jefferson
Before you commit to a personal loan in Jefferson, 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 Iowa using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.