Meriden at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 725, placing it 229th among Kansas's 625 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 747 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 2.9% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Kansas places: 229th largest of 625 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 63% of Kansas's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 39.1895, -95.5681 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Valley Falls, KS (12 mi); Perry, KS (13 mi); Topeka, KS (13 mi); Oskaloosa, KS (14 mi); Silver Lake, KS (17 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Smaller towns nearby: Ozawkie, KS (6 mi); Hoyt, KS (9 mi); Mayetta, KS (13 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Meriden
A personal loan is an installment loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
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.
Kansas lending rules that apply in Meriden
The table carries the Kansas rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Meriden.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC) Source says: "The Office of the State Bank Commissioner regulates all state-chartered banks, trust companies, mortgage businesses, supervised lenders, credit service organizations, earned wage access service providers, and money transmitters". | Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner as of 2026-09-16 |
| UCCC consumer loan rate caps | 36% on first $860 of unpaid balance; 21% above $860 (closed-end consumer loans) Source says: "36% on the unpaid principal balance which is $860 or less, and 21% on the unpaid principal balance which exceeds $860". | Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 15% per annum (general contract-rate ceiling for written instruments) Source says: "may stipulate therein for interest receivable ... at a rate not to exceed 15% per annum unless otherwise specifically authorized by law". | Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (payday cash advances of $500 or less; charge capped at 15%) Source says: "a licensed or supervised lender may charge an amount not to exceed 15% of the amount of the cash advance". | Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Supervised lender license required (supervised loans) Source says: "Unless a person is exempt from licensing ... such person shall not engage in the business of: (a) Making supervised loans". | Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Meriden
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Meriden:
- 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 Kansas using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.