Big Falls at a glance
- Population: 173 residents, the 675th-largest of 853 places in Minnesota (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 176 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 1.7% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Minnesota places: the 675th-largest of 853 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: larger than about 21% of the Census places in Minnesota (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 48.1796, -93.8092 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Littlefork, MN (19 mi); Bigfork, MN (31 mi); Kelliher, MN (33 mi); International Falls, MN (34 mi); Ranier, MN (36 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Smaller towns nearby: Effie, MN (25 mi); Mizpah, MN (26 mi); Northome, MN (30 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Big Falls
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
APR is the figure that lets you compare like with like, since it wraps fees into the rate; run your own numbers with the personal loan calculator.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
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.
Minnesota lending rules that apply in Big Falls
The table lists the Minnesota rules that apply to a loan made in Big Falls, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 6% per year legal rate of interest; a different rate may be contracted for in writing (Minn. Stat. § 334.01) Source says: "The interest for any legal indebtedness shall be at the rate of $6 upon $100 for a year" | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed; APR capped at 36%, or up to 50% with an ability-to-repay analysis (Minn. Stat. §§ 47.60, 47.601, 47.603) Source says: "The cap on that annual percentage rate is set at either 36%, or up to 50% if the lender conducts an ability to repay analysis" | Minnesota Department of Commerce as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated loan license required from the commissioner for loans within the Chapter 56 threshold (Minn. Stat. § 56.01) Source says: "without first obtaining a license from the commissioner, no person shall engage in the business of making loans of money" | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Minnesota Department of Commerce (commissioner of commerce) Source says: ""Commissioner" means the commissioner of commerce" | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday ability-to-repay requirement | Required for payday loans with an APR above 36% (Minn. Stat. § 47.603) Source says: "This section applies to all payday loans with an annual percentage rate that exceeds 36 percent." | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Big Falls
Run through this list before signing anything in Big Falls:
- 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 Minnesota using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.