Fircrest at a glance
- Population: 6,932 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 109th-largest of 281 places in Washington.
- 2020 Census base: 7,153 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 3.1% fewer residents than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: the 109th-largest of 281 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: about 61% of Washington's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 47.2307 / -122.5157, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): University Place, WA (2 mi); Tacoma, WA (3 mi); Lakewood, WA (5 mi); Fife, WA (8 mi); Gig Harbor, WA (8 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller places: Ruston, WA (5 mi); Steilacoom, WA (6 mi); Pacific, WA (13 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Fircrest
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
Washington lending rules that apply in Fircrest
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Fircrest: label, sourced figure, publisher and 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 Fircrest
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Fircrest:
- 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.