South Prairie at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 363, placing it 249th among Washington's 281 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 376 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 3.5% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Washington places: the 249th-largest of 281 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 11% of Washington places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 47.1354, -122.0966 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Wilkeson, WA (3 mi); Buckley, WA (4 mi); Carbonado, WA (4 mi); Bonney Lake, WA (5 mi); Orting, WA (6 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Smaller places close by: Beaux Arts Village, WA (31 mi); Skykomish, WA (53 mi); Index, WA (54 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in South Prairie
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
APR is the figure that lets you compare like with like, since it wraps fees into the rate; run your own numbers with the 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 South Prairie
Each row below is a Washington rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| 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 South Prairie
A few practical steps will make the process in South Prairie 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.