Walla Walla at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 33,339 residents, ranking 37th of 281 places in Washington (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 34,188 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 2.5% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 37th of the state's 281 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 87% of Washington's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 46.0670, -118.3370 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Pasco, WA (40 mi); Kennewick, WA (41 mi); Richland, WA (48 mi); Lewiston, ID (68 mi); Yakima, WA (112 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller communities: College Place, WA (3 mi); Milton-Freewater, OR (10 mi); Prescott, WA (16 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Walla Walla
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
Because the APR includes origination and finance charges, it is the honest comparison number; the personal loan calculator turns an APR and term into a monthly payment.
A lender weighs your credit profile, income and debts when setting the rate, and a longer term lowers the payment at the cost of more interest overall.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
Washington lending rules that apply in Walla Walla
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Walla Walla: label, sourced figure, publisher and 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 Walla Walla
Run through this list before signing anything in Walla Walla:
- 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.