Leighton at a glance
- Population: about 150, 735th by size in Iowa of 940 places (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 155 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 3.2% fewer residents than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 735th out of 940 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 22% of Iowa's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 41.3388, -92.7863 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Beacon, IA (7 mi); Harvey, IA (7 mi); Pella, IA (8 mi); Oskaloosa, IA (8 mi); University Park, IA (10 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Smaller towns nearby: Hamilton, IA (13 mi); Keomah Village, IA (13 mi); Marysville, IA (14 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Leighton
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
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.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Leighton
The table carries the Iowa rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Leighton.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Leighton
A few practical steps will make the process in Leighton less costly:
- 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.