Arcadia at a glance
- Population: 578 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 416th-largest of 940 places in Iowa.
- 2020 Census base: 525 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 10.1% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Iowa places: the 416th-largest of 940 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: roughly 56% of Iowa's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 42.0862 latitude, -95.0432 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Carroll, IA (9 mi); Manning, IA (12 mi); Wall Lake, IA (13 mi); Lake View, IA (15 mi); Glidden, IA (16 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Smaller places close by: Westside, IA (3 mi); Halbur, IA (7 mi); Breda, IA (8 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Arcadia
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
APR, not the simple interest rate, reflects what the loan actually costs once fees are included; the personal loan calculator puts a figure on it.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
Before you borrow, decide what the loan is for and whether the monthly payment fits a budget you can already meet without taking on new debt.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Arcadia
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Iowa, and therefore in Arcadia.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Iowa Division of Banking (IDOB), Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services Source says: "As part of the 2023 state government realignment, the IDOB became part of a new Department of Insurance and Financial Services". | Iowa Division of Banking as of 2026-09-16 |
| Delayed deposit fee cap | Fee cap: $15 on first $100 of check face amount; $10 on subsequent $100 increments Source says: "fifteen dollars on the first one hundred dollars ... or more than ten dollars on subsequent one hundred dollar increments". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 2 percentage points above the monthly average 10-year U.S. Treasury constant maturity rate (written agreements) Source says: "The maximum lawful rate of interest ... in any written agreement ... shall be two percentage points above the monthly average ten-year constant maturity interest rate". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (delayed deposit services; must be physically located in Iowa) Source says: "A person shall not operate a delayed deposit services business in this state unless the person is physically located in this state and licensed by the superintendent". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated Loan Act license required (superintendent of banking) Source says: "shall not engage in the business of making loans ... without first obtaining a license from the superintendent of banking". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Arcadia
Before you commit to a personal loan in Arcadia, 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 Iowa using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.