Iowa at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 3,106, placing it 85th among Louisiana's 302 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 3,436 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down roughly 9.6% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Louisiana places: 85th largest of 302 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 72% of the places in Louisiana (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 30.2414, -93.0130 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Welsh, LA (12 mi); Lake Charles, LA (12 mi); Westlake, LA (15 mi); Sulphur, LA (21 mi); Jennings, LA (21 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller towns: Fenton, LA (10 mi); Kinder, LA (19 mi); Reeves, LA (19 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Iowa
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
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.
If you are consolidating debt, the loan only helps if you stop adding to the balances it clears; otherwise the total debt grows.
Louisiana lending rules that apply in Iowa
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Louisiana, and therefore in Iowa.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per annum maximum conventional interest (La. R.S. 9:3500(C)(1)) Source says: "The amount of the conventional interest cannot exceed twelve percent per annum." | Louisiana State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed — deferred presentment and small loans ($350 or less, 60 days or less) under OFI-issued licenses Source says: "Persons who make loans of $350 or less for a term of 60 days or less." | Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer loan license required from OFI before making consumer loans Source says: "Persons who wish to engage in the business of making consumer loans must hold a consumer loan license issued by this Office" | Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions (OFI), Non-Depository Division Source says: "OFI is responsible for the supervision of various entities which provide financial services to the citizens of the State of Louisiana." | Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Licensed-lender consumer loan finance charge caps | 36% first $1,400; 27% to $4,000; 24% to $7,000; 21% above (R.S. 9:3519(A)) Source says: "Thirty-six percent per year for that portion of the unpaid principal amount of the loan not exceeding one thousand four hundred dollars" | Louisiana State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Iowa
A few practical steps will make the process in Iowa less costly:
- 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 Louisiana using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.