West Des Moines at a glance
- Population: 72,205, the 7th-largest community in Iowa out of 940 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 68,728 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 5.1% higher than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 7th largest of 940 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 99% of Iowa's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 41.5499, longitude -93.7814 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Des Moines, IA (9 mi); Ankeny, IA (16 mi); Cedar Rapids, IA (112 mi); Iowa City, IA (116 mi); Omaha, NE (119 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller towns: Clive, IA (4 mi); Cumming, IA (5 mi); Windsor Heights, IA (5 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in West Des Moines
With an installment loan the payment is fixed for the life of the loan, so the schedule is predictable from the first month to the last.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
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.
Iowa lending rules that apply in West Des Moines
The table lists the Iowa rules that apply to a loan made in West Des Moines, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 2 percentage points above the monthly average 10-year U.S. Treasury constant maturity rate (written agreements) Source says: "The maximum lawful rate of interest ... in any written agreement ... shall be two percentage points above the monthly average ten-year constant maturity interest rate". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (delayed deposit services; must be physically located in Iowa) Source says: "A person shall not operate a delayed deposit services business in this state unless the person is physically located in this state and licensed by the superintendent". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated Loan Act license required (superintendent of banking) Source says: "shall not engage in the business of making loans ... without first obtaining a license from the superintendent of banking". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Iowa Division of Banking (IDOB), Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services Source says: "As part of the 2023 state government realignment, the IDOB became part of a new Department of Insurance and Financial Services". | Iowa Division of Banking as of 2026-09-16 |
| Delayed deposit fee cap | Fee cap: $15 on first $100 of check face amount; $10 on subsequent $100 increments Source says: "fifteen dollars on the first one hundred dollars ... or more than ten dollars on subsequent one hundred dollar increments". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in West Des Moines
Run through this list before signing anything in West Des Moines:
- 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 Iowa using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.