Strafford at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 2,703, placing it 199th among Missouri's 937 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 2,555 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 5.8% higher than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Missouri places: 199th of the state's 937 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: larger than about 79% of the Census places in Missouri (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 37.2689, -93.1180 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Springfield, MO (11 mi); Rogersville, MO (11 mi); Marshfield, MO (12 mi); Willard, MO (17 mi); Ozark, MO (17 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller towns: Fair Grove, MO (8 mi); Fordland, MO (13 mi); Fremont Hills, MO (16 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Strafford
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed 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 offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
Before you borrow, decide what the loan is for and whether the monthly payment fits a budget you can already meet without taking on new debt.
Missouri lending rules that apply in Strafford
Each row below is a Missouri rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Missouri Division of Finance (Department of Commerce and Insurance) Source says: "We regulate state-chartered banks, trust companies, consumer credit facilities, mortgage brokers, and savings and loan institutions" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Additional loan fee cap (30+ day loans) | Up to 10% of principal, capped at $100 (RSMo § 408.140) Source says: "a fee, not to exceed ten percent of the principal amount loaned not to exceed one hundred dollars may be charged by the lender" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per annum, or the higher published 'market rate' (RSMo § 408.030) Source says: "a rate of interest not exceeding ten percent per annum on money due or to become due upon any contract" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed — unsecured loans of $500 or less require a license from the Director of the Division of Finance (RSMo § 408.500) Source says: "in the business of making unsecured loans of five hundred dollars or less shall obtain a license from the director of the division of finance" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer credit lenders licensed and regulated by the Division of Finance's consumer credit section (Chapters 367 and 408, RSMo) Source says: "The consumer credit section of the Missouri Division of Finance is responsible for licensing and regulating various types of consumer finance companies" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Strafford
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Strafford:
- 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 Missouri using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.