Marlin at a glance
- Population: about 5,563, 356th by size in Texas of 1,224 places (Census Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 5,453 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 2.0% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Texas places: 356th out of 1,224 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 71% of Texas's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 31.3080, -96.8932 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Robinson, TX (17 mi); Hewitt, TX (20 mi); Bellmead, TX (23 mi); Woodway, TX (24 mi); Waco, TX (25 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Smaller towns nearby: Lott, TX (11 mi); Golinda, TX (11 mi); Riesel, TX (12 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Marlin
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
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 term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
Texas lending rules that apply in Marlin
The Texas rate caps and licensing rules that reach Marlin are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| 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 Marlin
Before you share your details with a lender in Marlin:
- 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.