Van Meter at a glance
- Population: about 1,725 residents, ranking 182nd of 940 Census places in Iowa (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 1,484 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: an increase of about 16.2% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: the 182nd-largest of 940 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 81% of Iowa's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 41.5246, -93.9442 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Waukee, IA (6 mi); Adel, IA (7 mi); West Des Moines, IA (9 mi); Clive, IA (10 mi); Dallas Center, IA (11 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller towns: De Soto, IA (4 mi); Earlham, IA (9 mi); Cumming, IA (10 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Van Meter
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
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.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Van Meter
Each row below is a Iowa rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (delayed deposit services; must be physically located in Iowa) Source says: "A person shall not operate a delayed deposit services business in this state unless the person is physically located in this state and licensed by the superintendent". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated Loan Act license required (superintendent of banking) Source says: "shall not engage in the business of making loans ... without first obtaining a license from the superintendent of banking". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Iowa Division of Banking (IDOB), Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services Source says: "As part of the 2023 state government realignment, the IDOB became part of a new Department of Insurance and Financial Services". | Iowa Division of Banking as of 2026-09-16 |
| Delayed deposit fee cap | Fee cap: $15 on first $100 of check face amount; $10 on subsequent $100 increments Source says: "fifteen dollars on the first one hundred dollars ... or more than ten dollars on subsequent one hundred dollar increments". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 2 percentage points above the monthly average 10-year U.S. Treasury constant maturity rate (written agreements) Source says: "The maximum lawful rate of interest ... in any written agreement ... shall be two percentage points above the monthly average ten-year constant maturity interest rate". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Van Meter
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Van Meter:
- 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 Iowa using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.