St. Peter at a glance
- Population: 12,291 — 92nd in Minnesota, which has 853 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 12,068 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: a gain of roughly 1.8% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Minnesota places: the 92nd-largest of 853 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: about 89% of Minnesota's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 44.3293 latitude, -93.9677 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): North Mankato, MN (11 mi); Mankato, MN (11 mi); New Ulm, MN (25 mi); Faribault, MN (34 mi); Waconia, MN (36 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller places nearby: Kasota, MN (3 mi); Cleveland, MN (7 mi); Le Sueur, MN (10 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in St. Peter
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Minnesota lending rules that apply in St. Peter
The table lists the Minnesota rules that apply to a loan made in St. Peter, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in St. Peter
Run through this list before signing anything in St. Peter:
- 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.