Des Moines at a glance
- Population: 31,988 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 39th-largest of 281 places in Washington.
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 32,915 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 2.8% below the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 39th by size among 281 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 86% of places in Washington rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 47.3887, -122.3176 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Kent, WA (5 mi); Federal Way, WA (5 mi); Burien, WA (6 mi); Auburn, WA (8 mi); Renton, WA (8 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Nearest smaller communities: Normandy Park, WA (3 mi); SeaTac, WA (4 mi); Tukwila, WA (6 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Des Moines
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.
Compare offers on APR rather than the headline rate — the APR includes most fees, and you can model the total with our personal loan calculator.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
Washington lending rules that apply in Des Moines
The Washington rate caps and licensing rules that reach Des Moines are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per annum, or four points above the Federal Reserve bill rate, whichever is higher (RCW 19.52.020) Source says: any rate of interest shall be legal so long as the rate of interest does not exceed the higher of: (a) Twelve percent per annum | Washington State Legislature (RCW) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Licensed; small loans capped at $700 or 30% of monthly income, max 45 days, fees 15% on first $500 and 10% above (RCW 31.45) Source says: Payday lenders must be licensed by DFI — including online lenders that do business with Washington residents. | Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Loan Company license required (Consumer Loan Act, RCW 31.04.035) Source says: No person may engage in any activity subject to this chapter without first obtaining and maintaining a license in accordance with this chapter. | Washington State Legislature (RCW) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) Source says: DFI licenses and regulates financial institutions and service providers in Washington. | Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Des Moines
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Des Moines:
- 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 Washington using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.