Independence at a glance
- Population: 1,650 people, the 121st-largest place among Louisiana's 302 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 1,632 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a gain of roughly 1.1% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Louisiana places: 121st of the state's 302 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: larger than about 60% of the Census places in Louisiana (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 30.6361, -90.5052 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Amite City, LA (7 mi); Hammond, LA (9 mi); Ponchatoula, LA (14 mi); Livingston, LA (17 mi); Kentwood, LA (21 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller places nearby: Tickfaw, LA (4 mi); Roseland, LA (9 mi); Montpelier, LA (10 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in Independence
Personal loans are closed-end installment debt, so the monthly payment and the payoff date are known from the start.
Two loans can share an interest rate and still differ in APR once fees are counted, so compare APR; our personal loan calculator shows the difference over the full term.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Louisiana lending rules that apply in Independence
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions (OFI), Non-Depository Division Source says: "OFI is responsible for the supervision of various entities which provide financial services to the citizens of the State of Louisiana." | Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Licensed-lender consumer loan finance charge caps | 36% first $1,400; 27% to $4,000; 24% to $7,000; 21% above (R.S. 9:3519(A)) Source says: "Thirty-six percent per year for that portion of the unpaid principal amount of the loan not exceeding one thousand four hundred dollars" | Louisiana State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per annum maximum conventional interest (La. R.S. 9:3500(C)(1)) Source says: "The amount of the conventional interest cannot exceed twelve percent per annum." | Louisiana State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed — deferred presentment and small loans ($350 or less, 60 days or less) under OFI-issued licenses Source says: "Persons who make loans of $350 or less for a term of 60 days or less." | Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer loan license required from OFI before making consumer loans Source says: "Persons who wish to engage in the business of making consumer loans must hold a consumer loan license issued by this Office" | Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Independence
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Independence:
- 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 Louisiana using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.