Ferndale at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 15,992, placing it 68th among Washington's 281 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 15,062 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 6.2% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 68th-largest of 281 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: larger than about 76% of the Census places in Washington (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 48.8534, -122.5902 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Bellingham, WA (9 mi); Lynden, WA (9 mi); Anacortes, WA (25 mi); Mount Vernon, WA (33 mi); Oak Harbor, WA (39 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller places close by: Everson, WA (11 mi); Blaine, WA (12 mi); Nooksack, WA (13 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Ferndale
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
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 Ferndale
The table lists the Washington rules that apply to a loan made in Ferndale, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Ferndale
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Ferndale:
- 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.