Rice Lake at a glance
- Population: roughly 9,012 people; 107th of 605 places in Wisconsin (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 9,050 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down roughly 0.4% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 107th of the state's 605 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 82% of places in Wisconsin rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 45.4820, -91.7458 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Chippewa Falls, WI (42 mi); Menomonie, WI (42 mi); New Richmond, WI (46 mi); Eau Claire, WI (47 mi); Altoona, WI (49 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Smaller places close by: Cameron, WI (5 mi); Barron, WI (7 mi); Haugen, WI (9 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Rice Lake
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Rice Lake
Each row below is a Wisconsin rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Rice Lake
Run through this list before signing anything in Rice Lake:
- 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.