Dubuque at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 58,877 residents, ranking 11th of 940 places in Iowa (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 59,677 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down roughly 1.3% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 11th out of 940 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 99% of Iowa's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 42.4989, longitude -90.7073 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Cedar Rapids, IA (62 mi); Davenport, IA (65 mi); Iowa City, IA (72 mi); Madison, WI (76 mi); Waterloo, IA (84 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Sageville, IA (4 mi); Asbury, IA (4 mi); East Dubuque, IL (4 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Dubuque
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
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.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Dubuque
The Iowa rate caps and licensing rules that reach Dubuque are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (delayed deposit services; must be physically located in Iowa) Source says: "A person shall not operate a delayed deposit services business in this state unless the person is physically located in this state and licensed by the superintendent". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated Loan Act license required (superintendent of banking) Source says: "shall not engage in the business of making loans ... without first obtaining a license from the superintendent of banking". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Iowa Division of Banking (IDOB), Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services Source says: "As part of the 2023 state government realignment, the IDOB became part of a new Department of Insurance and Financial Services". | Iowa Division of Banking as of 2026-09-16 |
| Delayed deposit fee cap | Fee cap: $15 on first $100 of check face amount; $10 on subsequent $100 increments Source says: "fifteen dollars on the first one hundred dollars ... or more than ten dollars on subsequent one hundred dollar increments". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 2 percentage points above the monthly average 10-year U.S. Treasury constant maturity rate (written agreements) Source says: "The maximum lawful rate of interest ... in any written agreement ... shall be two percentage points above the monthly average ten-year constant maturity interest rate". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Dubuque
Run through this list before signing anything in Dubuque:
- 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 Iowa using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.