Waitsburg at a glance
- Population: 1,174, the 194th-largest community in Washington out of 281 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 1,165 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a gain of roughly 0.8% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 194th of the state's 281 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 31% of Washington's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 46.2698, longitude -118.1509 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Dayton, WA (9 mi); Walla Walla, WA (17 mi); College Place, WA (20 mi); Milton-Freewater, OR (26 mi); Pomeroy, WA (30 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Prescott, WA (8 mi); Starbuck, WA (17 mi); Kahlotus, WA (32 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Waitsburg
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
Before you borrow, decide what the loan is for and whether the monthly payment fits a budget you can already meet without taking on new debt.
Washington lending rules that apply in Waitsburg
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Waitsburg: 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 Waitsburg
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Waitsburg:
- 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.