Zachary at a glance
- Population: 19,968 residents, the 15th-largest of 302 places in Louisiana (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 19,395 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 3.0% growth over the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Louisiana places: 15th of the state's 302 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 95% of the places in Louisiana (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 30.6644 latitude, -91.1658 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Central, LA (11 mi); Hammond, LA (44 mi); New Iberia, LA (60 mi); Kenner, LA (71 mi); Houma, LA (80 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller places: Slaughter, LA (5 mi); Baker, LA (6 mi); Jackson, LA (12 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Zachary
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
Louisiana lending rules that apply in Zachary
The Louisiana rate caps and licensing rules that reach Zachary are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| 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 Zachary
Run through this list before signing anything in Zachary:
- 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.