Caldwell at a glance
- Population: the Census estimates 4,579 residents, ranking 393rd of 1,224 places in Texas (Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 3,992 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: up about 14.7% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Texas places: 393rd in population of 1,224 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 68% of Texas places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 30.5298, -96.6997 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Rockdale, TX (20 mi); Bryan, TX (21 mi); College Station, TX (24 mi); Giddings, TX (28 mi); Cameron, TX (28 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Smaller towns nearby: Snook, TX (14 mi); Milano, TX (15 mi); Somerville, TX (16 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Caldwell
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.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
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-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
Texas lending rules that apply in Caldwell
The sourced rows below are the rules a licensed lender must follow when lending in Texas, and therefore in Caldwell.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State lending regulator | Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) Source says: The OCCC licenses and regulates non-depository lenders in the state of Texas. | Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per year maximum; a greater rate is usurious unless otherwise provided by law (Tex. Fin. Code § 302.001) Source says: The maximum rate or amount of interest is 10 percent a year except as otherwise provided by law. | Texas Legislature (Texas Constitution and Statutes) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal via licensed credit access businesses (payday/title-loan brokers); the third-party lender itself is not licensed (Tex. Fin. Code ch. 393) Source says: the credit access business that serves as the broker is the licensee in this regulated industry | Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | License required for non-depository lenders charging more than 10% interest; Chapter 342 governs consumer loans (Tex. Fin. Code § 342.051) Source says: Non-depository lenders who engage in making, transacting, or collecting loans with a rate of interest greater than 10% must be licensed by the OCCC. | Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Caldwell
Before you commit to a personal loan in Caldwell, work through these steps:
- 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 Texas using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.