Sterling at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 2,275 residents, ranking 103rd of 625 places in Kansas (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 2,253 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: up about 1.0% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Kansas places: the 103rd-largest of 625 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 84% of the places in Kansas (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 38.2093 / -98.2065, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Lyons, KS (9 mi); Hutchinson, KS (19 mi); South Hutchinson, KS (19 mi); McPherson, KS (31 mi); Great Bend, KS (34 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller towns: Alden, KS (6 mi); Nickerson, KS (8 mi); Raymond, KS (12 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Sterling
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.
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.
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.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Kansas lending rules that apply in Sterling
The table lists the Kansas rules that apply to a loan made in Sterling, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| UCCC consumer loan rate caps | 36% on first $860 of unpaid balance; 21% above $860 (closed-end consumer loans) Source says: "36% on the unpaid principal balance which is $860 or less, and 21% on the unpaid principal balance which exceeds $860". | Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 15% per annum (general contract-rate ceiling for written instruments) Source says: "may stipulate therein for interest receivable ... at a rate not to exceed 15% per annum unless otherwise specifically authorized by law". | Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (payday cash advances of $500 or less; charge capped at 15%) Source says: "a licensed or supervised lender may charge an amount not to exceed 15% of the amount of the cash advance". | Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Supervised lender license required (supervised loans) Source says: "Unless a person is exempt from licensing ... such person shall not engage in the business of: (a) Making supervised loans". | Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC) Source says: "The Office of the State Bank Commissioner regulates all state-chartered banks, trust companies, mortgage businesses, supervised lenders, credit service organizations, earned wage access service providers, and money transmitters". | Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Sterling
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Sterling:
- 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 Kansas using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.