Polk at a glance
- Population: 343 — 240th in Nebraska, which has 527 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 346 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 0.9% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Nebraska places: 240th-largest of 527 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: about 54% of places in Nebraska are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 41.0752, -97.7838 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Stromsburg, NE (10 mi); Central City, NE (12 mi); Osceola, NE (14 mi); Hampton, NE (14 mi); York, NE (17 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller communities: Hordville, NE (6 mi); Clarks, NE (10 mi); Benedict, NE (10 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Polk
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
APR is the figure that lets you compare like with like, since it wraps fees into the rate; run your own numbers with the 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.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Nebraska lending rules that apply in Polk
The table carries the Nebraska rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Polk.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 16% per annum maximum on agreed interest (unpaid principal balance) Source says: "any rate of interest which may be agreed upon, not exceeding sixteen percent per annum on the unpaid principal balance, shall be valid" | Nebraska Legislature (Nebraska Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Capped at 36% APR (Initiative 428, 2020); violating transactions are void Source says: "A licensee shall not impose an annual percentage rate greater than thirty-six percent in connection with a delayed deposit transaction." | Nebraska Legislature (Nebraska Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Delayed Deposit Services Licensing Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. 45-901 to 45-931) Source says: "Sections 45-901 to 45-931 shall be known and may be cited as the Delayed Deposit Services Licensing Act." | Nebraska Legislature (Nebraska Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance (NDBF) Source says: "The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance is a state agency under the direct supervision of the Governor." | Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Delayed deposit services (payday) licensing administration | NDBF publishes delayed deposit services license guidelines, statutes, and a licensed-business search Source says: "Delayed Deposit Services (Payday Lenders)" | Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Polk
Before you commit to a personal loan in Polk, 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 Nebraska using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.