Waco at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 74, placing it 836th among Missouri's 937 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 72 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 2.8% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Missouri places: 836th by size among 937 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 11% of places in Missouri rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 37.2470 latitude, -94.6003 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Asbury, MO (2 mi); Carl Junction, MO (7 mi); Oronogo, MO (8 mi); Neck City, MO (9 mi); Airport Drive, MO (9 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller communities: Dennis Acres, MO (15 mi); Cliff Village, MO (16 mi); Ritchey, MO (31 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Waco
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.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Missouri lending rules that apply in Waco
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Waco: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| 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 Waco
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Waco:
- 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.