Dexter at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 7,878 residents, ranking 100th of 937 places in Missouri (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 7,947 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 0.9% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Missouri places: 100th of 937 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 89% of Missouri places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 36.7928 latitude, -89.9630 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Sikeston, MO (22 mi); Poplar Bluff, MO (25 mi); Kennett, MO (38 mi); Cape Girardeau, MO (42 mi); Jackson, MO (44 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Smaller towns nearby: Essex, MO (6 mi); Bloomfield, MO (7 mi); Dudley, MO (7 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Dexter
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
Two loans can share an interest rate and still differ in APR once fees are counted, so compare APR; our personal loan calculator shows the difference over the full term.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Missouri lending rules that apply in Dexter
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Missouri, and therefore in Dexter.
| 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 Dexter
Run through this list before signing anything in Dexter:
- 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.