Personal loans in Lakeland, MN
Lakeland is a small community in Minnesota, home to roughly 1,660 people and larger than about 66% of the places in the state. Its population fell about 2.9% between the 2020 Census base and the 2023 estimate. Personal loans taken out in Lakeland are governed by Minnesota's lending law rather than by any local ordinance, which is why two neighbors with different credit histories can be quoted very different rates.
What is specific to borrowing in Lakeland
- Population: 1,660 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate) — the 289th-largest place of 853 in Minnesota.
- Population trend: Its population fell about 2.9% between the 2020 Census base and the 2023 estimate.
- Size percentile: larger than about 66% of the Census places in Minnesota.
- Location: 44.9532, -92.7666 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Hudson (2 mi); North Hudson (3 mi); Bayport (4 mi); Afton (5 mi); Oak Park Heights (6 mi). Larger metros often have more walk-in branches, but online lenders serve Lakeland on the same terms.
- Nearest smaller towns: Lakeland Shores (0 mi); Lake St. Croix Beach (2 mi); St. Marys Point (3 mi).
Minnesota lending rules that apply in Lakeland
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 6% per year legal rate of interest; a different rate may be contracted for in writing (Minn. Stat. § 334.01) Source says: "The interest for any legal indebtedness shall be at the rate of $6 upon $100 for a year" | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed; APR capped at 36%, or up to 50% with an ability-to-repay analysis (Minn. Stat. §§ 47.60, 47.601, 47.603) Source says: "The cap on that annual percentage rate is set at either 36%, or up to 50% if the lender conducts an ability to repay analysis" | Minnesota Department of Commerce as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated loan license required from the commissioner for loans within the Chapter 56 threshold (Minn. Stat. § 56.01) Source says: "without first obtaining a license from the commissioner, no person shall engage in the business of making loans of money" | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Minnesota Department of Commerce (commissioner of commerce) Source says: ""Commissioner" means the commissioner of commerce" | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday ability-to-repay requirement | Required for payday loans with an APR above 36% (Minn. Stat. § 47.603) Source says: "This section applies to all payday loans with an annual percentage rate that exceeds 36 percent." | Minnesota Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
How a personal loan works in Lakeland
When you apply for a personal loan in Lakeland, most lenders start with pre-qualification, which uses a soft credit pull and does not affect your score. That lets you see estimated rates from several lenders before committing. Only when you accept an offer and complete a full application does the lender run a hard inquiry, which may ding your score by a few points for a short period. Rate-shopping within a focused window is treated as a single inquiry by most scoring models.
Before you apply in Lakeland
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run the numbers with our personal loan calculator so you know the payment before a lender tells you.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check the lender is licensed in Minnesota using the regulator listed above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.
Advertising disclosure: Loansloth may receive a referral fee if you apply through the link above. That fee does not change the rate you are offered, and it does not change our content. We are not a lender. Read the full disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a personal loan with bad credit in Lakeland?
How much can I borrow with a personal loan in Lakeland?
Does a personal loan in Lakeland require collateral?
Will shopping for a loan in Lakeland hurt my credit?
Nearby places
- Lakeland Shores, MN — population 330
- Lake St. Croix Beach, MN — population 1,008
- Hudson, WI — population 15,473
- St. Marys Point, MN — population 344
- North Hudson, WI — population 3,888
- Bayport, MN — population 3,788
- Afton, MN — population 2,941
- Oak Park Heights, MN — population 4,678