Lime Springs at a glance
- Population: about 467 residents, ranking 457th of 940 Census places in Iowa (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 475 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down roughly 1.7% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 457th of the state's 940 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 51% of Iowa's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 43.4499 / -92.2841, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Cresco, IA (10 mi); Le Roy, MN (12 mi); Riceville, IA (15 mi); Harmony, MN (16 mi); Elma, IA (16 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Smaller towns nearby: Chester, IA (5 mi); Ostrander, MN (13 mi); McIntire, IA (16 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Lime Springs
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Lime Springs
The table lists the Iowa rules that apply to a loan made in Lime Springs, each with the regulator that published it.
| 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 Lime Springs
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Lime Springs:
- 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.