Waupaca at a glance
- Population: 6,333 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 137th-largest of 605 places in Wisconsin.
- 2020 Census base: 6,282 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 0.8% growth over the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 137th out of 605 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 77% of Wisconsin's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 44.3500, -89.0700.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): New London, WI (17 mi); Plover, WI (24 mi); Greenville, WI (26 mi); Stevens Point, WI (27 mi); Fox Crossing, WI (31 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller communities: Weyauwega, WI (7 mi); Ogdensburg, WI (8 mi); Scandinavia, WI (9 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Waupaca
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
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.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Waupaca
Each row below is a Wisconsin rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| 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 Waupaca
Before you share your details with a lender in Waupaca:
- 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.