Kennewick at a glance
- Population: 85,158 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 14th-largest of 281 places in Washington.
- 2020 Census base: 83,927 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 1.5% higher than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 14th by size among 281 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 95% of places in Washington rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 46.1976, -119.1759 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Yakima, WA (71 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Pasco, WA (5 mi); Richland, WA (8 mi); West Richland, WA (13 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Kennewick
A personal loan is an installment loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
Your credit, income and existing debts drive the rate a lender offers, while the term you pick sets how much interest builds on top.
Before you borrow, decide what the loan is for and whether the monthly payment fits a budget you can already meet without taking on new debt.
Washington lending rules that apply in Kennewick
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| 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 Kennewick
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Kennewick:
- 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.