Independence at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 120,922 residents, ranking 5th of 937 places in Missouri (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 122,923 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 1.6% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Missouri places: the 5th-largest of 937 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 99% of Missouri places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 39.0855, -94.3521 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Kansas City, MO (11 mi); Kansas City, KS (21 mi); Overland Park, KS (23 mi); Olathe, KS (29 mi); Topeka, KS (72 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Smaller towns nearby: Sugar Creek, MO (5 mi); Lake Tapawingo, MO (5 mi); River Bend, MO (7 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Independence
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.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
Missouri lending rules that apply in Independence
The Missouri rate caps and licensing rules that reach Independence are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer credit lenders licensed and regulated by the Division of Finance's consumer credit section (Chapters 367 and 408, RSMo) Source says: "The consumer credit section of the Missouri Division of Finance is responsible for licensing and regulating various types of consumer finance companies" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Missouri Division of Finance (Department of Commerce and Insurance) Source says: "We regulate state-chartered banks, trust companies, consumer credit facilities, mortgage brokers, and savings and loan institutions" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Additional loan fee cap (30+ day loans) | Up to 10% of principal, capped at $100 (RSMo § 408.140) Source says: "a fee, not to exceed ten percent of the principal amount loaned not to exceed one hundred dollars may be charged by the lender" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per annum, or the higher published 'market rate' (RSMo § 408.030) Source says: "a rate of interest not exceeding ten percent per annum on money due or to become due upon any contract" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed — unsecured loans of $500 or less require a license from the Director of the Division of Finance (RSMo § 408.500) Source says: "in the business of making unsecured loans of five hundred dollars or less shall obtain a license from the director of the division of finance" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Independence
Before you commit to a personal loan in Independence, work through these steps:
- 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 Missouri using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.