Watson at a glance
- Population: 56 people, the 872nd-largest place among Missouri's 937 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 58 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down roughly 3.4% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Missouri places: 872nd largest of 937 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 7% of Missouri's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 40.4799, longitude -95.6235 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Peru, NE (6 mi); Brownville, NE (6 mi); Rock Port, MO (7 mi); Hamburg, IA (9 mi); Nemaha, NE (10 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Julian, NE (13 mi); Barada, NE (18 mi); Northboro, IA (19 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Watson
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Missouri lending rules that apply in Watson
Every figure in the table below is sourced to a publisher with a date; where a state does not publish a number, we say so rather than estimate.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Watson
Before you commit to a personal loan in Watson, 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 Missouri using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.