Wasco at a glance
- Population: about 437 residents, ranking 197th of 240 Census places in Oregon (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 415 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: up about 5.3% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Oregon places: 197th-largest of 240 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 18% of the places in Oregon (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 45.5917, -120.6975.
- Nearest larger cities: Goldendale, WA (17 mi); The Dalles, OR (22 mi); Dufur, OR (23 mi); Arlington, OR (26 mi); Mosier, OR (34 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller communities: Rufus, OR (7 mi); Moro, OR (8 mi); Grass Valley, OR (17 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Wasco
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
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 longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Oregon lending rules that apply in Wasco
The Oregon rate caps and licensing rules that reach Wasco are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (Department of Consumer and Business Services) Source says: "Protecting Oregonians' access to fair products and services through education, regulation, and consumer assistance." | Oregon Division of Financial Regulation as of 2026-09-16 |
| Unlicensed lending consequence (state-specific rule) | Unlicensed consumer finance loans are void and uncollectible (principal, interest, fees). Source says: "the consumer finance loan is void... may not... collect, receive or retain principal, interest, a fee or a charge related to... the consumer finance loan" (ORS 725.045(1)(b)). | Oregon Legislative Assembly (Oregon Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 9% per annum default legal rate where the parties have not agreed to a rate. Source says: "The rate of interest for the following transactions, if the parties have not otherwise agreed to a rate of interest, is nine percent per annum" (ORS 82.010(1)). | Oregon Legislative Assembly (Oregon Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal for licensed payday/title lenders; term 31-60 days; one-time 10% origination fee capped at $30; interest limited to 36%/yr; max APR 153.77%. Source says: "Interest rates are limited to 36 percent annually. The maximum APR (interest and fees) is 153.77 percent"; "A one-time 10 percent loan origination fee, up to a maximum of $30 for a new loan"; "The payday or title loan must be for at least 31 days and not longer than 60 days." | Oregon Division of Financial Regulation as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer finance license required to make consumer finance loans of $50,000 or less; license issued by the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. Source says: "a consumer finance loan of $50,000 or less... unless the person first obtains a license under this chapter" (ORS 725.045). | Oregon Legislative Assembly (Oregon Revised Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Wasco
Run through this list before signing anything in Wasco:
- 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 Oregon using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.