Shelton at a glance
- Population: 10,806, the 86th-largest community in Washington out of 281 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 10,373 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a gain of roughly 4.2% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 86th in population of 281 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 69% of Washington's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 47.2256, -123.1122 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Olympia, WA (16 mi); Tumwater, WA (19 mi); Lacey, WA (19 mi); Gig Harbor, WA (25 mi); University Place, WA (27 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller communities: McCleary, WA (14 mi); Elma, WA (21 mi); DuPont, WA (23 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Shelton
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.
APR, not the simple interest rate, reflects what the loan actually costs once fees are included; the personal loan calculator puts a figure on it.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
If you are consolidating debt, the loan only helps if you stop adding to the balances it clears; otherwise the total debt grows.
Washington lending rules that apply in Shelton
The table carries the Washington rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Shelton.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Shelton
A few practical steps will make the process in Shelton less costly:
- 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.