Laurel at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 219, placing it 643rd among Iowa's 940 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 219 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about the same as at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 643rd in population of 940 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 32% of Iowa's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 41.8840, -92.9223.
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Gilman, IA (7 mi); Melbourne, IA (10 mi); Marshalltown, IA (10 mi); Le Grand, IA (11 mi); Kellogg, IA (11 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Smaller places nearby: Haverhill, IA (5 mi); Ferguson, IA (5 mi); Oakland Acres, IA (12 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in Laurel
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
Two loans can share an interest rate and still differ in APR once fees are counted, so compare APR; our personal loan calculator shows the difference over the full term.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Laurel
Each row below is a Iowa rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Laurel
Before you commit to a personal loan in Laurel, 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.