Dowelltown at a glance
- Population: 361 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 306th-largest of 344 places in Tennessee.
- 2020 Census base: 343 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 5.2% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Tennessee places: 306th of the state's 344 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 11% of Tennessee's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 36.0125, -85.9426 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Alexandria, TN (7 mi); Smithville, TN (8 mi); Gordonsville, TN (12 mi); Watertown, TN (13 mi); Woodbury, TN (15 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller towns: Liberty, TN (2 mi); Auburntown, TN (9 mi); Centertown, TN (20 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Dowelltown
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.
Lenders weigh your credit history, income and debts when they set the rate, and the term you choose then determines how that rate compounds into total cost.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Tennessee lending rules that apply in Dowelltown
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Tennessee, and therefore in Dowelltown.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10.75% per annum (maximum effective formula rate for written contracts, announced September 15, 2026) Source says: the maximum effective formula rate of interest in Tennessee is 10.75 percent per annum | Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions (TDFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Licensed; deferred presentment services (payday) lenders must obtain a TDFI license, including internet lenders (Tenn. Code Ann. § 45-17-103) Source says: deferred presentment services in this state through the use of the internet, facsimile, telephone, or other means without having first obtained a license | Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions (TDFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | TDFI Compliance Division licenses industrial loan & thrift companies, deferred presentment companies, flexible credit companies, and other consumer lenders Source says: The Compliance Division is responsible for the licensing and regulatory supervision of the following types of financial institutions operating in Tennessee | Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions (TDFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions (TDFI) Source says: The Department regulates banks, credit unions, trust companies, business and industrial development corporations, industrial loan and thrift companies | Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions (TDFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Dowelltown
Run through this list before signing anything in Dowelltown:
- 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 Tennessee using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.