Mesa at a glance
- Population: about 385, 247th by size in Washington of 281 places (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 387 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 0.5% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 247th in population of 281 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 12% of places in Washington rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 46.5735, longitude -119.0013 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Connell, WA (10 mi); Othello, WA (19 mi); Pasco, WA (22 mi); Richland, WA (24 mi); West Richland, WA (26 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Smaller towns nearby: Hatton, WA (16 mi); Kahlotus, WA (22 mi); Washtucna, WA (35 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Mesa
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
Two loans can share an interest rate and still differ in APR once fees are counted, so compare APR; our personal loan calculator shows the difference over the full term.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Washington lending rules that apply in Mesa
The table lists the Washington rules that apply to a loan made in Mesa, each with the regulator that published it.
| 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 Mesa
Run through this list before signing anything in Mesa:
- 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.