LaCrosse at a glance
- Population: about 296, 255th by size in Washington of 281 places (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 299 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 1.0% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 255th of the state's 281 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 9% of Washington's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 46.7955 latitude, -117.9178 longitude (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Endicott, WA (14 mi); St. John, WA (26 mi); Pomeroy, WA (27 mi); Colfax, WA (30 mi); Ritzville, WA (31 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Smaller places nearby: Washtucna, WA (19 mi); Starbuck, WA (21 mi); Lamont, WA (28 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in LaCrosse
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.
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.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
Washington lending rules that apply in LaCrosse
The table lists the Washington rules that apply to a loan made in LaCrosse, 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 LaCrosse
Run through this list before signing anything in LaCrosse:
- 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.