Menasha at a glance
- Population: about 18,069 residents, ranking 47th of 605 Census places in Wisconsin (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 18,262 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 1.1% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 47th of the state's 605 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: larger than about 92% of the Census places in Wisconsin (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 44.2123, -88.4274 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Fox Crossing, WI (3 mi); Neenah, WI (4 mi); Appleton, WI (5 mi); Oshkosh, WI (15 mi); De Pere, WI (23 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller towns: Kimberly, WI (6 mi); Harrison, WI (7 mi); Combined Locks, WI (7 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Menasha
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
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.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Menasha
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Wisconsin, and therefore in Menasha.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Menasha
Run through this list before signing anything in Menasha:
- 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.