Stratford at a glance
- Population: roughly 1,581 people; 290th of 605 places in Wisconsin (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 1,580 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 0.1% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: 290th of 605 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: roughly 52% of Wisconsin's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 44.7976, -90.0706.
- Nearest larger cities: Marshfield, WI (11 mi); Spencer, WI (12 mi); Colby, WI (14 mi); Abbotsford, WI (16 mi); Mosinee, WI (19 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller communities: Fenwood, WI (5 mi); Edgar, WI (10 mi); Hewitt, WI (11 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Stratford
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
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.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in Stratford
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| 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 Stratford
Before you commit to a personal loan in Stratford, work through these steps:
- 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.