Goldendale at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 3,473 residents, ranking 135th of 281 places in Washington (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 3,448 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: a gain of roughly 0.7% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 135th largest of 281 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 52% of the places in Washington (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 45.8191 / -120.8234, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: The Dalles, OR (22 mi); Hood River, OR (35 mi); Toppenish, WA (46 mi); Wapato, WA (47 mi); Granger, WA (47 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller towns: Rufus, OR (10 mi); Wasco, OR (17 mi); Moro, OR (24 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Goldendale
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
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.
A lender weighs your credit profile, income and debts when setting the rate, and a longer term lowers the payment at the cost of more interest overall.
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 Goldendale
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Washington, and therefore in Goldendale.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Goldendale
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Goldendale:
- 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.