Mercer Island at a glance
- Population: roughly 24,742 people; 45th of 281 places in Washington (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 25,752 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 3.9% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 45th in population of 281 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 84% of Washington's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 47.5640 / -122.2312, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Bellevue, WA (4 mi); Renton, WA (6 mi); Seattle, WA (7 mi); Burien, WA (8 mi); Issaquah, WA (9 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Smaller towns nearby: Beaux Arts Village, WA (2 mi); Newcastle, WA (4 mi); Medina, WA (4 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Mercer Island
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
Washington lending rules that apply in Mercer Island
The table carries the Washington rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Mercer Island.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Mercer Island
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Mercer Island:
- 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.