Montesano at a glance
- Population: roughly 4,179 people; 131st of 281 places in Washington (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 4,141 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 0.9% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Washington places: 131st largest of 281 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 53% of the places in Washington (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 47.0147, -123.5857 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Aberdeen, WA (11 mi); Hoquiam, WA (15 mi); Shelton, WA (27 mi); Ocean Shores, WA (27 mi); Tumwater, WA (32 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller communities: Elma, WA (8 mi); Cosmopolis, WA (10 mi); McCleary, WA (15 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Montesano
A personal loan is structured as an installment plan, with a set number of monthly payments and a fixed amount due each time.
Compare offers on APR rather than the headline rate — the APR includes most fees, and you can model the total with our personal loan calculator.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Washington lending rules that apply in Montesano
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Montesano: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Montesano
Run through this list before signing anything in Montesano:
- 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.