Portsmouth at a glance
- Population: 189 people, the 680th-largest place among Iowa's 940 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 187 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 1.1% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: the 680th-largest of 940 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 28% of Iowa places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 41.6503, -95.5195 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Persia, IA (6 mi); Panama, IA (6 mi); Harlan, IA (10 mi); Earling, IA (10 mi); Shelby, IA (11 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Smaller places close by: Tennant, IA (5 mi); Westphalia, IA (8 mi); Kirkman, IA (14 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Portsmouth
With an installment loan the payment is fixed for the life of the loan, so the schedule is predictable from the first month to the last.
Because the APR includes origination and finance charges, it is the honest comparison number; the personal loan calculator turns an APR and term into a monthly payment.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
If you are consolidating debt, the loan only helps if you stop adding to the balances it clears; otherwise the total debt grows.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Portsmouth
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Iowa, and therefore in Portsmouth.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Portsmouth
A few practical steps will make the process in Portsmouth 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 Iowa using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.