Plainfield at a glance
- Population: 394 — 489th in Iowa, which has 940 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 394 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: no meaningful change since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 489th by size among 940 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 48% of places in Iowa rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 42.8445 latitude, -92.5357 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Nashua, IA (7 mi); Clarksville, IA (8 mi); Waverly, IA (9 mi); Shell Rock, IA (9 mi); Greene, IA (14 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Frederika, IA (12 mi); Ionia, IA (14 mi); Bassett, IA (15 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Plainfield
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
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.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Plainfield
The table carries the Iowa rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Plainfield.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Plainfield
Before you commit to a personal loan in Plainfield, 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.