Widener at a glance
- Population: 203 people, the 371st-largest place among Arkansas's 500 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 212 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 4.2% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Arkansas places: 371st by size among 500 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 26% of Arkansas's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 35.0235 / -90.6819, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Madison, AR (3 mi); Forrest City, AR (6 mi); Caldwell, AR (8 mi); Colt, AR (11 mi); Hughes, AR (13 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller places: Haynes, AR (11 mi); Jennette, AR (18 mi); Anthonyville, AR (19 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Widener
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
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.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Arkansas lending rules that apply in Widener
The table carries the Arkansas rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Widener.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | See the latest published figure value_text left null: the State Bank Department does not publish a consumer small-loan license rate schedule that could be verified; storefront payday lending has been eliminated (see Payday lending status). See the linked regulator page for the licensee categories it supervises. | Arkansas State Bank Department as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Arkansas State Bank Department Source says: "The Department is charged with regulating state-chartered commercial banks with main offices in Arkansas". | Arkansas State Bank Department as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 17% per annum for loans not made by or to governmental units or by federally insured depository institutions (Amendment 89, effective January 1, 2011) Source says: "shall not exceed seventeen percent (17%) per annum". | Arkansas Legislature — Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 89, § 3 (proposed by H.J.R. 1004 of 2009) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Not permitted — all storefront payday lending eliminated; the Attorney General has worked to eliminate all forms of payday lending since 2008 Source says: "the Attorney General's office has worked to eliminate all forms of payday lending in Arkansas"; "all storefront payday loan operations in Arkansas have been shut down". | Arkansas Attorney General — Consumer Protection Division as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Widener
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Widener:
- 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 Arkansas using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.