Mechanicsville at a glance
- Population: 992 people, the 275th-largest place among Iowa's 940 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 1,019 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 2.6% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 275th out of 940 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 71% of Iowa's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 41.9056, -91.2533.
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Lisbon, IA (7 mi); Mount Vernon, IA (9 mi); Clarence, IA (10 mi); Tipton, IA (11 mi); Springville, IA (14 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller towns: Stanwood, IA (5 mi); Morley, IA (7 mi); Olin, IA (9 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Mechanicsville
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
Compare offers on APR rather than the headline rate — the APR includes most fees, and you can model the total with our personal loan calculator.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Mechanicsville
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Iowa, and therefore in Mechanicsville.
| 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 Mechanicsville
Run through this list before signing anything in Mechanicsville:
- 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.