Scandinavia at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 366, placing it 522nd among Wisconsin's 605 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 374 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 2.1% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 522nd of 605 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 14% of Wisconsin places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 44.4607, longitude -89.1465 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Iola, WI (4 mi); Amherst, WI (7 mi); Amherst Junction, WI (8 mi); Waupaca, WI (9 mi); Manawa, WI (11 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller towns: Ogdensburg, WI (6 mi); Nelsonville, WI (8 mi); Big Falls, WI (12 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Scandinavia
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
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.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Scandinavia
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Scandinavia
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Scandinavia:
- 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.