Bell City at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 457 residents, ranking 484th of 937 places in Missouri (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 461 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 0.9% fewer residents than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Missouri places: 484th largest of 937 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 48% of Missouri's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 37.0240 latitude, -89.8193 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Advance, MO (8 mi); Oran, MO (10 mi); Bloomfield, MO (11 mi); Morley, MO (12 mi); Chaffee, MO (14 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller places: Vanduser, MO (8 mi); Haywood City, MO (12 mi); Delta, MO (13 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Bell City
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.
Compare offers on APR rather than the headline rate — the APR includes most fees, and you can model the total with our personal loan calculator.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Missouri lending rules that apply in Bell City
Each row below is a Missouri rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Missouri Division of Finance (Department of Commerce and Insurance) Source says: "We regulate state-chartered banks, trust companies, consumer credit facilities, mortgage brokers, and savings and loan institutions" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Additional loan fee cap (30+ day loans) | Up to 10% of principal, capped at $100 (RSMo § 408.140) Source says: "a fee, not to exceed ten percent of the principal amount loaned not to exceed one hundred dollars may be charged by the lender" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per annum, or the higher published 'market rate' (RSMo § 408.030) Source says: "a rate of interest not exceeding ten percent per annum on money due or to become due upon any contract" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed — unsecured loans of $500 or less require a license from the Director of the Division of Finance (RSMo § 408.500) Source says: "in the business of making unsecured loans of five hundred dollars or less shall obtain a license from the director of the division of finance" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer credit lenders licensed and regulated by the Division of Finance's consumer credit section (Chapters 367 and 408, RSMo) Source says: "The consumer credit section of the Missouri Division of Finance is responsible for licensing and regulating various types of consumer finance companies" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Bell City
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Bell City:
- 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 Missouri using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.