Ione at a glance
- Population: 451, the 241st-largest community in Washington out of 281 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 432 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: up about 4.4% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 241st of 281 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 14% of Washington's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 48.7398, -117.4220 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Colville, WA (26 mi); Kettle Falls, WA (31 mi); Chewelah, WA (34 mi); Newport, WA (42 mi); Priest River, ID (45 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller communities: Metaline, WA (8 mi); Metaline Falls, WA (9 mi); Northport, WA (20 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Ione
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.
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.
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 Ione
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| 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 Ione
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Ione:
- 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.