Chaffee at a glance
- Population: 3,025 people, the 182nd-largest place among Missouri's 937 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 3,053 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 0.9% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Missouri places: the 182nd-largest of 937 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 81% of Missouri places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 37.1812, -89.6612 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Scott City, MO (7 mi); Cape Girardeau, MO (11 mi); Jackson, MO (14 mi); Sikeston, MO (21 mi); Charleston, MO (26 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller places close by: Delta, MO (4 mi); Allenville, MO (6 mi); Kelso, MO (6 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Chaffee
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
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.
Missouri lending rules that apply in Chaffee
The table carries the Missouri rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Chaffee.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Chaffee
Run through this list before signing anything in Chaffee:
- 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.