Dalton at a glance
- Population: 216, the 639th-largest community in Minnesota out of 853 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 216 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: under a tenth of a percent either way (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Rank among Minnesota places: 639th of 853 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: roughly 25% of Minnesota's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 46.1739, -95.9155 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Ashby, MN (7 mi); Underwood, MN (8 mi); Fergus Falls, MN (11 mi); Battle Lake, MN (12 mi); Elbow Lake, MN (13 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller towns: Wendell, MN (13 mi); Clitherall, MN (15 mi); Elizabeth, MN (18 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Dalton
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
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.
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.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Minnesota lending rules that apply in Dalton
The table carries the Minnesota rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Dalton.
| 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 Dalton
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Dalton:
- 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.