Madison at a glance
- Population: 2,189, the 55th-largest community in Nebraska out of 527 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 2,281 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 4.0% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Nebraska places: 55th of 527 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: roughly 90% of places in Nebraska rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 41.8283, -97.4567 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Norfolk, NE (14 mi); Columbus, NE (28 mi); Schuyler, NE (33 mi); Wayne, NE (36 mi); West Point, NE (39 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller towns: Creston, NE (10 mi); Humphrey, NE (10 mi); Cornlea, NE (12 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Madison
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 offers on APR rather than the headline rate — the APR includes most fees, and you can model the total with our personal loan calculator.
Lenders weigh your credit history, income and debts when they set the rate, and the term you choose then determines how that rate compounds into total cost.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Nebraska lending rules that apply in Madison
The table lists the Nebraska rules that apply to a loan made in Madison, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Delayed Deposit Services Licensing Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. 45-901 to 45-931) Source says: "Sections 45-901 to 45-931 shall be known and may be cited as the Delayed Deposit Services Licensing Act." | Nebraska Legislature (Nebraska Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance (NDBF) Source says: "The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance is a state agency under the direct supervision of the Governor." | Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Delayed deposit services (payday) licensing administration | NDBF publishes delayed deposit services license guidelines, statutes, and a licensed-business search Source says: "Delayed Deposit Services (Payday Lenders)" | Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 16% per annum maximum on agreed interest (unpaid principal balance) Source says: "any rate of interest which may be agreed upon, not exceeding sixteen percent per annum on the unpaid principal balance, shall be valid" | Nebraska Legislature (Nebraska Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Capped at 36% APR (Initiative 428, 2020); violating transactions are void Source says: "A licensee shall not impose an annual percentage rate greater than thirty-six percent in connection with a delayed deposit transaction." | Nebraska Legislature (Nebraska Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Madison
Before you commit to a personal loan in Madison, 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 Nebraska using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.