Racine at a glance
- Population: 76,602 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 5th-largest of 605 places in Wisconsin.
- 2020 Census base: 77,841 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 1.6% below the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 5th-largest of 605 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 99% of Wisconsin's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 42.7256 latitude, -87.8142 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Kenosha, WI (10 mi); Milwaukee, WI (25 mi); Waukegan, IL (25 mi); Elgin, IL (54 mi); Cicero, IL (61 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Nearest smaller communities: Elmwood Park, WI (2 mi); North Bay, WI (3 mi); Mount Pleasant, WI (4 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Racine
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
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.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Racine
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Wisconsin, and therefore in Racine.
| 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 Racine
Before you share your details with a lender in Racine:
- 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.