Lake Geneva at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 8,684, placing it 110th among Wisconsin's 605 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 8,274 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: up about 5.0% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 110th in population of 605 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 82% of Wisconsin places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 42.5833, -88.4285 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Elkhorn, WI (8 mi); Burlington, WI (10 mi); Harvard, IL (14 mi); Salem Lakes, WI (15 mi); Fox Lake, IL (16 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller towns nearby: Bloomfield, WI (5 mi); Williams Bay, WI (6 mi); Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, WI (8 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Lake Geneva
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
APR, not the simple interest rate, reflects what the loan actually costs once fees are included; the personal loan calculator puts a figure on it.
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 Lake Geneva
The table carries the Wisconsin rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Lake Geneva.
| 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 Lake Geneva
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Lake Geneva:
- 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.