Cottleville at a glance
- Population: 6,043 — 119th in Missouri, which has 937 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 5,616 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: an increase of about 7.6% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Missouri places: 119th largest of 937 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 87% of Missouri's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 38.7516, -90.6578 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Dardenne Prairie, MO (3 mi); St. Peters, MO (4 mi); O'Fallon, MO (4 mi); Lake St. Louis, MO (7 mi); Chesterfield, MO (8 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller communities: Weldon Spring, MO (3 mi); Weldon Spring Heights, MO (4 mi); St. Paul, MO (8 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Cottleville
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Missouri lending rules that apply in Cottleville
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Missouri, and therefore in Cottleville.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Cottleville
A few practical steps will make the process in Cottleville less costly:
- 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.