Washburn at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 1,283, placing it 39th among North Dakota's 355 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 1,299 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 1.2% below the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among North Dakota places: 39th-largest of 355 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: about 89% of places in North Dakota are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 47.2940, -101.0278 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Hazen, ND (28 mi); Garrison, ND (31 mi); Mandan, ND (33 mi); Beulah, ND (35 mi); Bismarck, ND (35 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Underwood, ND (12 mi); Wilton, ND (15 mi); Stanton, ND (17 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Washburn
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.
Lenders weigh your credit history, income and debts when they set the rate, and the term you choose then determines how that rate compounds into total cost.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
North Dakota lending rules that apply in Washburn
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Usury penalties (state-specific rule) | Usury forfeits all interest plus 25% of principal; charging usurious interest is a class B misdemeanor. Source says: "shall be deemed a forfeiture of the entire interest" and "a forfeiture of twenty-five percent of the principal" (N.D.C.C. 47-14-10); usury is a class B misdemeanor (47-14-11). | North Dakota Legislative Branch as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | Formula ceiling: 6-month U.S. Treasury bill average + 5.5 percentage points, never less than 7%; NDDFI-published rate for September 2026: 9.204%. Source says: "The rate is equal to five and one-half percent (5.5%) higher than the current cost of money" and "the maximum allowable interest rate ceiling may not be less than seven (7) percent" (NDDFI Usury Rate page; September 2026 rate 9.204%). | North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal for licensed deferred presentment service providers; fee capped at 20% of amount advanced; max $500 per transaction; $600 aggregate outstanding per customer. Source says: "A licensee may charge a fee for the deferred presentment service, not to exceed twenty percent of the amount paid to the customer" (N.D.C.C. 13-08-12); "may not disburse more than five hundred dollars to the customer in a deferred presentment service transaction" (13-08-12.3). | North Dakota Legislative Branch as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Money broker license required to engage in money brokering (arranging/providing loans); issued by the commissioner of financial institutions. Source says: "may not engage in money brokering in the state of North Dakota without a money broker license issued by the commissioner" (N.D.C.C. 13-04.1-02). | North Dakota Legislative Branch as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions (NDDFI) Source says: "The Department also licenses and regulates Money Brokers... Deferred Presentment Service Providers (Payday Lenders), Collection Agencies, Debt Settlement Service Providers, and Money Transmitters." | North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Washburn
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Washburn:
- 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 North Dakota using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.