McCleary at a glance
- Population: about 2,037 residents, ranking 165th of 281 Census places in Washington (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 2,002 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: up roughly 1.7% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 165th-largest of 281 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: roughly 41% of Washington's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 47.0585, -123.2696 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Elma, WA (8 mi); Shelton, WA (14 mi); Montesano, WA (15 mi); Tumwater, WA (17 mi); Olympia, WA (18 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller towns: Oakville, WA (15 mi); Tenino, WA (24 mi); Cosmopolis, WA (25 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in McCleary
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.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
Lenders weigh your credit history, income and debts when they set the rate, and the term you choose then determines how that rate compounds into total cost.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
Washington lending rules that apply in McCleary
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 McCleary
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in McCleary:
- 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.