Tumwater at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 27,239 residents, ranking 43rd of 281 places in Washington (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 26,040 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 4.6% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 43rd of the state's 281 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 85% of Washington places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 46.9895, longitude -122.9173 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Olympia, WA (4 mi); Lacey, WA (7 mi); Lakewood, WA (22 mi); University Place, WA (23 mi); Tacoma, WA (28 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller towns: Tenino, WA (10 mi); Rainier, WA (13 mi); Yelm, WA (13 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Tumwater
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.
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.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Washington lending rules that apply in Tumwater
Each row below is a Washington rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| 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 Tumwater
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Tumwater:
- 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.