Altoona at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 9,287, placing it 104th among Wisconsin's 605 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 8,295 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 12.0% growth over the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 104th of 605 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 83% of Wisconsin places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 44.8000, -91.4396 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Eau Claire, WI (3 mi); Chippewa Falls, WI (10 mi); Menomonie, WI (24 mi); Winona, MN (53 mi); Holmen, WI (58 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Nearest smaller communities: Lake Hallie, WI (6 mi); Fall Creek, WI (8 mi); Elk Mound, WI (13 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Altoona
With an installment loan the payment is fixed for the life of the loan, so the schedule is predictable from the first month to the last.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Altoona
Every figure in the table below is sourced to a publisher with a date; where a state does not publish a number, we say so rather than estimate.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Altoona
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Altoona:
- 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.