Personal loans in Ellsworth, IL

Ellsworth is one of 1,294 Census places in Illinois; its 180 residents put it at 1,125th. In Ellsworth, one of 1,294 Census places in Illinois, the figure to compare across lenders is the APR, not the advertised rate.

By the Personalloaner Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-09-16

Compare loan offers Run the numbers first

How we get paid: if you apply through the link above, a lending partner may send us a referral fee. It never changes the rate you are offered or what we publish. We are not a lender and we do not process applications. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Full disclosure.

From the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate, the population declined by about 1.1%. Judge Ellsworth offers on total cost, not on how quickly the money arrives. Rate ceilings, licensing requirements and product limits for Ellsworth are all set at the Illinois level. The next larger city is Arrowsmith, IL about 4 miles away.

Borrowing in Ellsworth: the local picture

Only a few things actually differ by place — population, area, location, and the Illinois rules a lender must follow — and they are below.

The geography behind Ellsworth

Ellsworth covers about 0.2 square miles of land (Census Gazetteer); no significant water area is recorded inside its boundaries. That land carries about 829 people per square mile. The largest place in Illinois, Chicago, lies about 110 miles away. Ellsworth has 138 larger places within a 50-mile radius. Within the same 50 miles lie 13 smaller Census places.

Where Ellsworth sits in Illinois

Among Illinois's 1,294 places, Ellsworth sits at 1,125th for population, a share of roughly 0.0% of the state. On the 2020-to-2023 trend, Ellsworth stands 264th among Illinois's 1,294 places — roughly the 80th percentile. At about 829 people per square mile, Ellsworth is the 765th most densely settled place in Illinois. By land area, its 0.2 square miles rank 1,229th of 1,294 places in Illinois.

Illinois rules behind a Ellsworth personal loan

For the roughly 180 residents of Ellsworth, the rules below are Illinois's own; each row carries its publisher and retrieval date.

RuleDetailSource
State lending regulatorIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Financial Institutions
Source says: "DFI licenses, charters, and examines a wide variety of financial products and services including: Consumer and Sales Finance and Collection Agencies".		Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
as of 2026-09-16
Small-loan / installment lender licensingConsumer Installment Loan Act license required from the Director of Financial Institutions (loans above 9% APR)
Source says: "No person ... shall engage in the business of making loans of money ... except ... after first obtaining a license from the Director of Financial Institutions".		Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)
as of 2026-09-16
Installment lender net-worth requirement$30,000 minimum positive net worth (plus $25,000 surety bond)
Source says: "every applicant shall prove ... that the applicant has and will maintain a positive net worth of a minimum of $30,000".		Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)
as of 2026-09-16

What shapes a Ellsworth personal loan

A Ellsworth personal loan is an installment loan: a lump sum, then fixed monthly payments over a set term, priced off your credit rather than its 180 residents. Two numbers drive a Ellsworth loan: the APR, which includes fees, and the term, which decides how long you keep paying. The term you choose in Ellsworth decides the split between a comfortable payment and the total interest you pay.

Steps to take before a Ellsworth loan

Complete these steps first when you borrow in Ellsworth (180 residents):

  1. Pull your credit reports first and correct any error before a lender sees the file.
  2. Run the numbers on the personal loan calculator so you know the payment before you apply.
  3. Gather at least three pre-qualified offers and line up the APR, not the headline rate.
  4. Verify the lender's Illinois licence with the regulator listed on this page.
  5. Do not borrow more than the expense calls for, even if a lender approves a larger amount.
  6. Be clear on what the loan is for and how it gets repaid.
  7. When debt already feels heavy, a nonprofit credit counsellor is worth a call first.

The process is identical across Illinois; what changes is your credit file, not the fact that Ellsworth holds 180 people.

Compare personal loan offers Run the numbers first

How we get paid: if you apply through the link above, a lending partner may send us a referral fee. It never changes the rate you are offered or what we publish. We are not a lender and we do not process applications. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Full disclosure.

Common questions

What are my options in Ellsworth if my credit is poor?
Borrowing is still possible, but expect a higher APR and a smaller approved amount. Lenders that accept lower scores hold statewide licences, so what is open to you in Ellsworth is the same as anywhere in Illinois.
What loan size can I expect in Ellsworth?
Most personal loans sit somewhere between $1,000 and $50,000, though the figure you are approved for turns on the lender, your income and your credit. Model the monthly payment first with our personal loan calculator.
Do I have to pledge anything to borrow in Ellsworth?
For an unsecured personal loan, no — there is nothing to pledge. A secured loan, such as home equity or one secured by a vehicle, does require collateral, and default puts that asset at risk.
Does comparing loans in Ellsworth cost me credit score points?
Not during pre-qualification, which normally uses a soft pull and leaves your score alone. Submitting a full application triggers a hard inquiry, which can trim a few points briefly.

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