Sandstone at a glance
- Population: 2,473 people, the 235th-largest place among Minnesota's 853 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 2,460 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 0.5% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Minnesota places: the 235th-largest of 853 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 72% of Minnesota's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 46.1290, -92.8646 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Pine City, MN (20 mi); Moose Lake, MN (23 mi); Mora, MN (27 mi); Rush City, MN (31 mi); Cambridge, MN (43 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller towns: Askov, MN (6 mi); Finlayson, MN (6 mi); Hinckley, MN (8 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Sandstone
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.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
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.
Before you borrow, decide what the loan is for and whether the monthly payment fits a budget you can already meet without taking on new debt.
Minnesota lending rules that apply in Sandstone
The table carries the Minnesota rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Sandstone.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed; APR capped at 36%, or up to 50% with an ability-to-repay analysis (Minn. Stat. §§ 47.60, 47.601, 47.603) Source says: "The cap on that annual percentage rate is set at either 36%, or up to 50% if the lender conducts an ability to repay analysis" | Minnesota Department of Commerce as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated loan license required from the commissioner for loans within the Chapter 56 threshold (Minn. Stat. § 56.01) Source says: "without first obtaining a license from the commissioner, no person shall engage in the business of making loans of money" | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Minnesota Department of Commerce (commissioner of commerce) Source says: ""Commissioner" means the commissioner of commerce" | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday ability-to-repay requirement | Required for payday loans with an APR above 36% (Minn. Stat. § 47.603) Source says: "This section applies to all payday loans with an annual percentage rate that exceeds 36 percent." | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 6% per year legal rate of interest; a different rate may be contracted for in writing (Minn. Stat. § 334.01) Source says: "The interest for any legal indebtedness shall be at the rate of $6 upon $100 for a year" | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Sandstone
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Sandstone:
- 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 Minnesota using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.