Bucoda at a glance
- Population: 615, the 224th-largest community in Washington out of 281 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 597 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 3.0% growth over the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 224th-largest of 281 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: roughly 20% of Washington's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 46.7953, -122.8698 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Tenino, WA (4 mi); Centralia, WA (7 mi); Chehalis, WA (10 mi); Rainier, WA (11 mi); Tumwater, WA (14 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Nearest smaller places: South Prairie, WA (43 mi); Wilkeson, WA (44 mi); Cathlamet, WA (48 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Bucoda
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
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 Bucoda
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| 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 Bucoda
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Bucoda:
- 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.