Rib Lake at a glance
- Population: 919 residents, the 378th-largest of 605 places in Wisconsin (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 922 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 0.3% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 378th of the state's 605 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 38% of places in Wisconsin rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 45.3195, -90.2022.
- Nearest larger cities: Medford, WI (14 mi); Athens, WI (21 mi); Tomahawk, WI (26 mi); Merrill, WI (26 mi); Abbotsford, WI (27 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Nearest smaller places: Prentice, WI (16 mi); Stetsonville, WI (18 mi); Catawba, WI (22 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Rib Lake
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
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.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Rib Lake
The Wisconsin rate caps and licensing rules that reach Rib Lake are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| 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 Rib Lake
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Rib Lake:
- 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.