Bellingham at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 94,720, placing it 12th among Washington's 281 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 91,481 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 3.5% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 12th-largest of 281 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: larger than about 96% of the Census places in Washington (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 48.7534 / -122.4702, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Everett, WA (56 mi); Seattle, WA (79 mi); Bellevue, WA (81 mi); Renton, WA (89 mi); Kent, WA (95 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller places nearby: Ferndale, WA (9 mi); Everson, WA (12 mi); Lynden, WA (14 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in Bellingham
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
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.
Lenders weigh your credit history, income and debts when they set the rate, and the term you choose then determines how that rate compounds into total cost.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Washington lending rules that apply in Bellingham
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Bellingham: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Bellingham
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Bellingham:
- 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.