Lena at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 530, placing it 470th among Wisconsin's 605 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 531 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 0.2% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 470th of 605 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: about 22% of places in Wisconsin are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 44.9530 latitude, -88.0473 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Oconto Falls, WI (7 mi); Coleman, WI (8 mi); Oconto, WI (10 mi); Gillett, WI (13 mi); Peshtigo, WI (16 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Smaller places close by: Pound, WI (10 mi); Suring, WI (16 mi); Forestville, WI (33 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Lena
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
APR is the figure that lets you compare like with like, since it wraps fees into the rate; run your own numbers with the personal loan calculator.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
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.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Lena
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Licensed lender license required from the Division of Banking (Wis. Stat. § 138.09) Source says: Before any person may do business under this section, that person shall first obtain a license from the division. | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Division of Banking Source says: "Department" means the department of financial institutions | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per year maximum ($12 per $100) on the declining principal balance, except as authorized by other statutes (Wis. Stat. § 138.05(1)(a)) Source says: At the rate of $12 upon $100 for one year computed upon the declining principal balance of the loan or forbearance | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed by the DFI Division of Banking; statewide database tracking (Wis. Stat. § 138.14) Source says: "Licensee" means a person holding a license issued by the division under sub. (5) | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Lena
Run through this list before signing anything in Lena:
- 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 Wisconsin using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.