Wenatchee at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 35,526, placing it 34th among Washington's 281 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 35,559 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 0.1% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Washington places: 34th by size among 281 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 88% of Washington places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 47.4360, longitude -120.3293 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Yakima, WA (59 mi); Sammamish, WA (80 mi); Issaquah, WA (81 mi); Redmond, WA (85 mi); Bellevue, WA (86 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Smaller towns nearby: East Wenatchee, WA (2 mi); Cashmere, WA (9 mi); Rock Island, WA (10 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Wenatchee
A personal loan is an installment loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years.
APR, not the simple interest rate, reflects what the loan actually costs once fees are included; the personal loan calculator puts a figure on it.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
Before you borrow, decide what the loan is for and whether the monthly payment fits a budget you can already meet without taking on new debt.
Washington lending rules that apply in Wenatchee
The Washington rate caps and licensing rules that reach Wenatchee 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 Wenatchee
Before you share your details with a lender in Wenatchee:
- 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.