Hayward at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 2,584 residents, ranking 227th of 605 places in Wisconsin (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 2,527 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 2.3% higher than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: the 227th-largest of 605 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 62% of the places in Wisconsin (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 46.0066, longitude -91.4897 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Rice Lake, WI (38 mi); Ladysmith, WI (42 mi); Barron, WI (45 mi); Ashland, WI (49 mi); Superior, WI (55 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller communities: Couderay, WI (17 mi); Minong, WI (17 mi); Radisson, WI (21 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Hayward
A personal loan is an installment loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Hayward
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Licensed lender license required from the Division of Banking (Wis. Stat. § 138.09) Source says: Before any person may do business under this section, that person shall first obtain a license from the division. | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Division of Banking Source says: "Department" means the department of financial institutions | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per year maximum ($12 per $100) on the declining principal balance, except as authorized by other statutes (Wis. Stat. § 138.05(1)(a)) Source says: At the rate of $12 upon $100 for one year computed upon the declining principal balance of the loan or forbearance | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed by the DFI Division of Banking; statewide database tracking (Wis. Stat. § 138.14) Source says: "Licensee" means a person holding a license issued by the division under sub. (5) | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Hayward
Before you share your details with a lender in Hayward:
- 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 Wisconsin using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.