Wapato at a glance
- Population: roughly 4,486 people; 128th of 281 places in Washington (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 4,607 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 2.6% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 128th in population of 281 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 54% of Washington's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 46.4436, longitude -120.4215 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Toppenish, WA (7 mi); Union Gap, WA (8 mi); Moxee, WA (8 mi); Yakima, WA (12 mi); Selah, WA (15 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller places nearby: Harrah, WA (6 mi); Zillah, WA (7 mi); Granger, WA (13 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in Wapato
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
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.
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 Wapato
Every figure in the table below is sourced to a publisher with a date; where a state does not publish a number, we say so rather than estimate.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Wapato
Before you commit to a personal loan in Wapato, work through these steps:
- 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.