Washburn at a glance
- Population: 2,032, the 261st-largest community in Wisconsin out of 605 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 2,042 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 0.5% fewer residents than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 261st largest of 605 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 57% of Wisconsin places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 46.6767, -90.9013 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Ashland, WI (7 mi); Ironwood, MI (39 mi); Two Harbors, MN (44 mi); Hayward, WI (54 mi); Park Falls, WI (56 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Nearest smaller towns: Bayfield, WI (10 mi); Mason, WI (18 mi); Mellen, WI (27 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Washburn
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
Two loans can share an interest rate and still differ in APR once fees are counted, so compare APR; our personal loan calculator shows the difference over the full term.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Washburn
The table lists the Wisconsin rules that apply to a loan made in Washburn, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Licensed lender license required from the Division of Banking (Wis. Stat. § 138.09) Source says: Before any person may do business under this section, that person shall first obtain a license from the division. | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Division of Banking Source says: "Department" means the department of financial institutions | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per year maximum ($12 per $100) on the declining principal balance, except as authorized by other statutes (Wis. Stat. § 138.05(1)(a)) Source says: At the rate of $12 upon $100 for one year computed upon the declining principal balance of the loan or forbearance | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed by the DFI Division of Banking; statewide database tracking (Wis. Stat. § 138.14) Source says: "Licensee" means a person holding a license issued by the division under sub. (5) | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Washburn
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Washburn:
- 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 Wisconsin using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.