Smithton at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 3,900 residents, ranking 373rd of 1,294 places in Illinois (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 4,007 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 2.7% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Illinois places: 373rd in population of 1,294 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 71% of Illinois's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 38.4143 / -89.9901, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Freeburg, IL (4 mi); Millstadt, IL (6 mi); Belleville, IL (7 mi); Swansea, IL (9 mi); Waterloo, IL (10 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller communities: Hecker, IL (8 mi); New Athens, IL (9 mi); Fayetteville, IL (11 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Smithton
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
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.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Illinois lending rules that apply in Smithton
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Installment lender net-worth requirement | $30,000 minimum positive net worth (plus $25,000 surety bond) Source says: "every applicant shall prove ... that the applicant has and will maintain a positive net worth of a minimum of $30,000". | Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 9% annual percentage rate (general written-contract interest cap) Source says: "it shall be lawful for the parties to stipulate or agree that an annual percentage rate of 9%, or any less sum". | Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license; capped at 36% annual percentage rate (payday loans) Source says: "shall not contract for or receive a charge exceeding a 36% annual percentage rate ... for a payday loan". | Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Installment Loan Act license required from the Director of Financial Institutions (loans above 9% APR) Source says: "No person ... shall engage in the business of making loans of money ... except ... after first obtaining a license from the Director of Financial Institutions". | Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Financial Institutions Source says: "DFI licenses, charters, and examines a wide variety of financial products and services including: Consumer and Sales Finance and Collection Agencies". | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Smithton
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Smithton:
- 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 Illinois using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.