Martensdale at a glance
- Population: 411 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 481st-largest of 940 places in Iowa.
- 2020 Census base: 420 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 2.1% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Iowa places: 481st out of 940 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 49% of the places in Iowa (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 41.3738, -93.7388 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: St. Charles, IA (7 mi); Cumming, IA (8 mi); Norwalk, IA (8 mi); Indianola, IA (9 mi); West Des Moines, IA (12 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller towns: Bevington, IA (3 mi); St. Marys, IA (5 mi); Spring Hill, IA (5 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Martensdale
Personal loans are closed-end installment debt, so the monthly payment and the payoff date are known from the start.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Martensdale
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Iowa, and therefore in Martensdale.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Martensdale
Before you commit to a personal loan in Martensdale, 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.