Waterloo at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 223, placing it 216th among Oregon's 240 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 221 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 0.9% higher than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Oregon places: 216th of the state's 240 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 10% of places in Oregon are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 44.4947, longitude -122.8243 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Sodaville, OR (2 mi); Lebanon, OR (5 mi); Sweet Home, OR (9 mi); Brownsville, OR (11 mi); Scio, OR (15 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Smaller places close by: Detroit, OR (37 mi); Idanha, OR (39 mi); Barlow, OR (53 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Waterloo
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
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.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Oregon lending rules that apply in Waterloo
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Oregon, and therefore in Waterloo.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Unlicensed lending consequence (state-specific rule) | Unlicensed consumer finance loans are void and uncollectible (principal, interest, fees). Source says: "the consumer finance loan is void... may not... collect, receive or retain principal, interest, a fee or a charge related to... the consumer finance loan" (ORS 725.045(1)(b)). | Oregon Legislative Assembly (Oregon Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 9% per annum default legal rate where the parties have not agreed to a rate. Source says: "The rate of interest for the following transactions, if the parties have not otherwise agreed to a rate of interest, is nine percent per annum" (ORS 82.010(1)). | Oregon Legislative Assembly (Oregon Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal for licensed payday/title lenders; term 31-60 days; one-time 10% origination fee capped at $30; interest limited to 36%/yr; max APR 153.77%. Source says: "Interest rates are limited to 36 percent annually. The maximum APR (interest and fees) is 153.77 percent"; "A one-time 10 percent loan origination fee, up to a maximum of $30 for a new loan"; "The payday or title loan must be for at least 31 days and not longer than 60 days." | Oregon Division of Financial Regulation as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer finance license required to make consumer finance loans of $50,000 or less; license issued by the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. Source says: "a consumer finance loan of $50,000 or less... unless the person first obtains a license under this chapter" (ORS 725.045). | Oregon Legislative Assembly (Oregon Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (Department of Consumer and Business Services) Source says: "Protecting Oregonians' access to fair products and services through education, regulation, and consumer assistance." | Oregon Division of Financial Regulation as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Waterloo
Before you commit to a personal loan in Waterloo, work through these steps:
- 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 Oregon using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.