Johnston at a glance
- Population: 24,640 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 20th-largest of 940 places in Iowa.
- 2020 Census base: 24,058 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 2.4% higher than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 20th out of 940 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 98% of places in Iowa rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 41.6919 latitude, -93.7245 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Urbandale, IA (5 mi); Ankeny, IA (7 mi); Des Moines, IA (10 mi); West Des Moines, IA (10 mi); Waukee, IA (11 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller towns nearby: Grimes, IA (4 mi); Windsor Heights, IA (6 mi); Polk City, IA (6 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Johnston
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
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 Johnston
Each row below is a Iowa rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| 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 Johnston
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Johnston:
- 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.