Metaline at a glance
- Population: 167 — 272nd in Washington, which has 281 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 160 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 4.4% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 272nd-largest of 281 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 3% of Washington places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 48.8523, -117.3870 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Metaline Falls, WA (1 mi); Ione, WA (8 mi); Northport, WA (18 mi); Colville, WA (32 mi); Marcus, WA (33 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Hope, ID (65 mi); State Line, ID (81 mi); Huetter, ID (83 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Metaline
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
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.
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 Metaline
The Washington rate caps and licensing rules that reach Metaline are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| 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 Metaline
A few practical steps will make the process in Metaline less costly:
- 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.