Paola at a glance
- Population: about 5,780 residents, ranking 58th of 625 Census places in Kansas (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 5,769 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 0.2% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Kansas places: 58th largest of 625 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 91% of Kansas's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 38.5789 latitude, -94.8604 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Spring Hill, KS (12 mi); Gardner, KS (16 mi); Olathe, KS (21 mi); Ottawa, KS (22 mi); Overland Park, KS (23 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Nearest smaller communities: Osawatomie, KS (7 mi); Louisburg, KS (10 mi); Fontana, KS (11 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Paola
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Kansas lending rules that apply in Paola
The table lists the Kansas rules that apply to a loan made in Paola, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC) Source says: "The Office of the State Bank Commissioner regulates all state-chartered banks, trust companies, mortgage businesses, supervised lenders, credit service organizations, earned wage access service providers, and money transmitters". | Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner as of 2026-09-16 |
| UCCC consumer loan rate caps | 36% on first $860 of unpaid balance; 21% above $860 (closed-end consumer loans) Source says: "36% on the unpaid principal balance which is $860 or less, and 21% on the unpaid principal balance which exceeds $860". | Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 15% per annum (general contract-rate ceiling for written instruments) Source says: "may stipulate therein for interest receivable ... at a rate not to exceed 15% per annum unless otherwise specifically authorized by law". | Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (payday cash advances of $500 or less; charge capped at 15%) Source says: "a licensed or supervised lender may charge an amount not to exceed 15% of the amount of the cash advance". | Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Supervised lender license required (supervised loans) Source says: "Unless a person is exempt from licensing ... such person shall not engage in the business of: (a) Making supervised loans". | Kansas Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Paola
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Paola:
- 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 Kansas using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.