Ellensburg at a glance
- Population: 18,694, the 60th-largest community in Washington out of 281 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 19,314 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 3.2% fewer residents than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 60th of the state's 281 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 79% of places in Washington rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 47.0001 / -120.5495, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Yakima, WA (28 mi); Wenatchee, WA (32 mi); Moses Lake, WA (61 mi); Maple Valley, WA (74 mi); Bonney Lake, WA (77 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller communities: Kittitas, WA (6 mi); Naches, WA (20 mi); Tieton, WA (23 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Ellensburg
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
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.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
Washington lending rules that apply in Ellensburg
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 Ellensburg
Before you commit to a personal loan in Ellensburg, 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.