Garfield at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 560 residents, ranking 233rd of 281 places in Washington (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 563 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down roughly 0.5% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 233rd out of 281 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 17% of Washington's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 47.0102, -117.1395.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Palouse, WA (8 mi); Colfax, WA (10 mi); Potlatch, ID (13 mi); Tekoa, WA (15 mi); Rosalia, WA (19 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller places close by: Farmington, WA (7 mi); Oakesdale, WA (10 mi); Onaway, ID (13 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Garfield
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Washington lending rules that apply in Garfield
The Washington rate caps and licensing rules that reach Garfield are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| 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 Garfield
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Garfield:
- 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.