Wakefield at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 1,507, placing it 74th among Nebraska's 527 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 1,527 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 1.3% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Nebraska places: 74th by size among 527 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: larger than about 86% of the Census places in Nebraska (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 42.2667, longitude -96.8629 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Wayne, NE (8 mi); Dakota City, NE (25 mi); North Sioux City, SD (26 mi); South Sioux City, NE (27 mi); Sergeant Bluff, IA (28 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller communities: Emerson, NE (7 mi); Allen, NE (10 mi); Concord, NE (10 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Wakefield
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
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.
Nebraska lending rules that apply in Wakefield
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | Capped at 36% APR (Initiative 428, 2020); violating transactions are void Source says: "A licensee shall not impose an annual percentage rate greater than thirty-six percent in connection with a delayed deposit transaction." | Nebraska Legislature (Nebraska Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Delayed Deposit Services Licensing Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. 45-901 to 45-931) Source says: "Sections 45-901 to 45-931 shall be known and may be cited as the Delayed Deposit Services Licensing Act." | Nebraska Legislature (Nebraska Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance (NDBF) Source says: "The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance is a state agency under the direct supervision of the Governor." | Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Delayed deposit services (payday) licensing administration | NDBF publishes delayed deposit services license guidelines, statutes, and a licensed-business search Source says: "Delayed Deposit Services (Payday Lenders)" | Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 16% per annum maximum on agreed interest (unpaid principal balance) Source says: "any rate of interest which may be agreed upon, not exceeding sixteen percent per annum on the unpaid principal balance, shall be valid" | Nebraska Legislature (Nebraska Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Wakefield
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Wakefield:
- 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 Nebraska using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.