Monona at a glance
- Population: 8,536, the 112th-largest community in Wisconsin out of 605 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 8,619 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 1.0% below the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 112th of the state's 605 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 81% of Wisconsin places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 43.0539 latitude, -89.3335 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): McFarland, WI (3 mi); Madison, WI (5 mi); Fitchburg, WI (7 mi); Cottage Grove, WI (7 mi); Oregon, WI (9 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Smaller places close by: Maple Bluff, WI (5 mi); Shorewood Hills, WI (6 mi); Deerfield, WI (13 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Monona
With an installment loan the payment is fixed for the life of the loan, so the schedule is predictable from the first month to the last.
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.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Monona
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Wisconsin, and therefore in Monona.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Monona
Run through this list before signing anything in Monona:
- 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.