La Crosse at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 51,327, placing it 12th among Wisconsin's 605 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 52,687 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 2.6% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Wisconsin places: the 12th-largest of 605 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: about 98% of Wisconsin's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 43.8247 / -91.2246, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Rochester, MN (64 mi); Eau Claire, WI (70 mi); Dubuque, IA (95 mi); Madison, WI (103 mi); Waterloo, IA (108 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Nearest smaller towns: La Crescent, MN (4 mi); Onalaska, WI (5 mi); Hokah, MN (8 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in La Crosse
A personal loan is an installment loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Wisconsin lending rules that apply in La Crosse
Each row below is a Wisconsin rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per year maximum ($12 per $100) on the declining principal balance, except as authorized by other statutes (Wis. Stat. § 138.05(1)(a)) Source says: At the rate of $12 upon $100 for one year computed upon the declining principal balance of the loan or forbearance | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed by the DFI Division of Banking; statewide database tracking (Wis. Stat. § 138.14) Source says: "Licensee" means a person holding a license issued by the division under sub. (5) | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Licensed lender license required from the Division of Banking (Wis. Stat. § 138.09) Source says: Before any person may do business under this section, that person shall first obtain a license from the division. | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Division of Banking Source says: "Department" means the department of financial institutions | Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in La Crosse
Before you share your details with a lender in La Crosse:
- 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 Wisconsin using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.