Blaine at a glance
- Population: about 6,232 residents, ranking 119th of 281 Census places in Washington (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 5,884 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 5.9% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Washington places: the 119th-largest of 281 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 58% of Washington's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 48.9872 / -122.7488, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Ferndale, WA (12 mi); Lynden, WA (14 mi); Bellingham, WA (21 mi); Anacortes, WA (35 mi); Sedro-Woolley, WA (40 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller communities: Everson, WA (19 mi); Nooksack, WA (20 mi); Sumas, WA (22 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Blaine
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
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.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
Washington lending rules that apply in Blaine
Each row below is a Washington rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| 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 Blaine
Before you share your details with a lender in Blaine:
- 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.