Peterson at a glance
- Population: 319, the 549th-largest community in Iowa out of 940 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 321 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 0.6% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 549th largest of 940 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 42% of Iowa's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 42.9173 / -95.3431, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Sutherland, IA (9 mi); Sioux Rapids, IA (10 mi); Royal, IA (11 mi); Aurelia, IA (15 mi); Cherokee, IA (16 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller communities: Linn Grove, IA (5 mi); Rossie, IA (10 mi); Calumet, IA (11 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Peterson
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
APR is the figure that lets you compare like with like, since it wraps fees into the rate; run your own numbers with the personal loan calculator.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Peterson
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| 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 Peterson
Run through this list before signing anything in Peterson:
- 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.