Gardena at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 58,377, placing it 155th among California's 482 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 61,021 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 4.3% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among California places: 155th-largest of 482 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 68% of the places in California (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 33.8944, -118.3075.
- Nearest larger cities: Hawthorne, CA (3 mi); Compton, CA (5 mi); Inglewood, CA (5 mi); Carson, CA (5 mi); Torrance, CA (5 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Nearest smaller towns: Lawndale, CA (3 mi); Hermosa Beach, CA (6 mi); Manhattan Beach, CA (7 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Gardena
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
Because the APR includes origination and finance charges, it is the honest comparison number; the personal loan calculator turns an APR and term into a monthly payment.
A lender weighs your credit profile, income and debts when setting the rate, and a longer term lowers the payment at the cost of more interest overall.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
California lending rules that apply in Gardena
The table carries the California rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Gardena.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 36% rate cap on mid-size consumer loans (AB 539) | Consumer loans of $2,500 to under $10,000: cap of 36% per annum simple interest plus the Federal Funds Rate Source says: "charges at a rate not exceeding an annual simple interest rate of 36 percent per annum plus the Federal Funds Rate". | California Legislature — Financial Code § 22304.5 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 7% per annum default; written contracts may set up to 10% per annum for consumer-purpose loans Source says: "shall be 7 percent per annum"; "for use primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, at a rate not exceeding 10 percent per annum". | California Legislature — California Constitution, Article XV, § 1 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under the California Deferred Deposit Transaction Law; max $300 face amount; fee ≤15%; term up to 31 days Source says: "The face amount of the check shall not exceed three hundred dollars ($300)"; "A fee for a deferred deposit transaction shall not exceed 15 percent of the face amount of the check" (Financial Code § 23036). | California Legislature — Financial Code § 23035 (and § 23036) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Finance lender/broker license required from the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation (California Financing Law) Source says: "No person shall engage in the business of a finance lender or broker without obtaining a license from the commissioner". | California Legislature — Financial Code § 22100 as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) Source says: "“Department” means the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation". | California Legislature — Financial Code § 23001 as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Gardena
Run through this list before signing anything in Gardena:
- 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 California using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.