Chelan at a glance
- Population: 4,412 people, the 129th-largest place among Washington's 281 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 4,228 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 4.4% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Washington places: 129th out of 281 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 54% of Washington's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 47.8443, -120.0136 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Wenatchee, WA (32 mi); East Wenatchee, WA (32 mi); Quincy, WA (43 mi); Ephrata, WA (43 mi); Omak, WA (46 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Smaller places close by: Waterville, WA (14 mi); Entiat, WA (15 mi); Pateros, WA (15 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Chelan
With an installment loan the payment is fixed for the life of the loan, so the schedule is predictable from the first month to the last.
Two loans can share an interest rate and still differ in APR once fees are counted, so compare APR; our personal loan calculator shows the difference over the full term.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
If you are consolidating debt, the loan only helps if you stop adding to the balances it clears; otherwise the total debt grows.
Washington lending rules that apply in Chelan
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Chelan
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Chelan:
- 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.