Stanwood at a glance
- Population: about 9,016 residents, ranking 94th of 281 Census places in Washington (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 7,724 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 16.7% growth over the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 94th-largest of 281 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: larger than about 67% of the Census places in Washington (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 48.2451, -122.3422.
- Nearest larger cities: Arlington, WA (10 mi); Mount Vernon, WA (12 mi); Oak Harbor, WA (14 mi); Marysville, WA (14 mi); Burlington, WA (15 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller towns: La Conner, WA (12 mi); Langley, WA (15 mi); Coupeville, WA (16 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Stanwood
With an installment loan the payment is fixed for the life of the loan, so the schedule is predictable from the first month to the last.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
If you are consolidating debt, the loan only helps if you stop adding to the balances it clears; otherwise the total debt grows.
Washington lending rules that apply in Stanwood
The Washington rate caps and licensing rules that reach Stanwood are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| 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 Stanwood
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Stanwood:
- 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.