St. Joseph at a glance
- Population: about 762 residents, ranking 176th of 302 Census places in Louisiana (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 833 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 8.5% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Louisiana places: 176th largest of 302 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 42% of Louisiana's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 31.9203, -91.2400 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Newellton, LA (11 mi); Port Gibson, MS (15 mi); Fayette, MS (18 mi); Vidalia, LA (27 mi); Ferriday, LA (27 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller places: Waterproof, LA (12 mi); Clayton, LA (22 mi); Wisner, LA (25 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in St. Joseph
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
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.
If you are consolidating debt, the loan only helps if you stop adding to the balances it clears; otherwise the total debt grows.
Louisiana lending rules that apply in St. Joseph
Every figure in the table below is sourced to a publisher with a date; where a state does not publish a number, we say so rather than estimate.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in St. Joseph
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in St. Joseph:
- 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.