Palouse at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 1,041 residents, ranking 203rd of 281 places in Washington (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 1,021 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: up roughly 2.0% across the 2020-to-2023 comparison (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 203rd by size among 281 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: larger than about 28% of the Census places in Washington (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 46.9103, -117.0752 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Colfax, WA (11 mi); Moscow, ID (13 mi); Pullman, WA (13 mi); Genesee, ID (26 mi); Plummer, ID (30 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller towns: Garfield, WA (8 mi); Potlatch, ID (8 mi); Onaway, ID (9 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Palouse
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
Before you borrow, decide what the loan is for and whether the monthly payment fits a budget you can already meet without taking on new debt.
Washington lending rules that apply in Palouse
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Washington, and therefore in Palouse.
| 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 Palouse
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Palouse:
- 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.