Steelville at a glance
- Population: 1,443 — 285th in Missouri, which has 937 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 1,469 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 1.8% below the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Missouri places: 285th in population of 937 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 70% of places in Missouri are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 37.9696, longitude -91.3546 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Cuba, MO (7 mi); Bourbon, MO (14 mi); St. James, MO (14 mi); Sullivan, MO (20 mi); Rolla, MO (22 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller towns nearby: Leasburg, MO (9 mi); St. Cloud, MO (16 mi); West Sullivan, MO (18 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Steelville
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Missouri lending rules that apply in Steelville
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Missouri, and therefore in Steelville.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer credit lenders licensed and regulated by the Division of Finance's consumer credit section (Chapters 367 and 408, RSMo) Source says: "The consumer credit section of the Missouri Division of Finance is responsible for licensing and regulating various types of consumer finance companies" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Missouri Division of Finance (Department of Commerce and Insurance) Source says: "We regulate state-chartered banks, trust companies, consumer credit facilities, mortgage brokers, and savings and loan institutions" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Additional loan fee cap (30+ day loans) | Up to 10% of principal, capped at $100 (RSMo § 408.140) Source says: "a fee, not to exceed ten percent of the principal amount loaned not to exceed one hundred dollars may be charged by the lender" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per annum, or the higher published 'market rate' (RSMo § 408.030) Source says: "a rate of interest not exceeding ten percent per annum on money due or to become due upon any contract" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed — unsecured loans of $500 or less require a license from the Director of the Division of Finance (RSMo § 408.500) Source says: "in the business of making unsecured loans of five hundred dollars or less shall obtain a license from the director of the division of finance" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Steelville
A few practical steps will make the process in Steelville less costly:
- 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 Missouri using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.