Norwood at a glance
- Population: 5,890 people, the 152nd-largest place among Pennsylvania's 1,013 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 5,943 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 0.9% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Pennsylvania places: 152nd of the state's 1,013 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: about 85% of places in Pennsylvania are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 39.8860 / -75.2958, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Prospect Park, PA (1 mi); Glenolden, PA (1 mi); Folcroft, PA (1 mi); Ridley Park, PA (2 mi); Sharon Hill, PA (2 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller towns nearby: Rutledge, PA (2 mi); Morton, PA (2 mi); Aldan, PA (3 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Norwood
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
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.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
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.
Pennsylvania lending rules that apply in Norwood
The table carries the Pennsylvania rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Norwood.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bank rate-cap exemption (state-specific rule) | Pennsylvania state-chartered banks are not subject to state interest-rate caps (Banking Code Sections 303/506 supersede the LIPL 6% cap). Source says: "Pennsylvania law does not impose any restrictions on the interest rate that Pennsylvania state-chartered banks may charge to customers." (DoBS interpretive letter, May 11, 2023). | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 6% per annum maximum for loans of $50,000 or less where no lower rate is contracted (41 P.S. 201(a)). Source says: "the maximum lawful rate of interest for the loan or use of money... shall be six per cent per annum" (Loan Interest and Protection Law, Section 201(a)). | Pennsylvania General Assembly (Laws of Pennsylvania, Act 6 of 1974) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | No separate payday-lending license; non-bank lenders are limited to 6% (unlicensed) or up to 24% (CDCA-licensed), so high-cost payday loans are not permitted. Source says: "if a lender is licensed by the Department in accord with the CDCA, it can charge between 6-24% on loans under $25,000" (DoBS interpretive letter, May 11, 2023). | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Discount Company Act license required for non-mortgage consumer loans above 6%; licensed lenders may charge up to 24% on loans of $25,000 or less. Source says: "A consumer discount company is a business corporation that negotiates or makes non-mortgage loans or advances of money on credit." | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) Source says: "The Department of Banking and Securities regulates financial services in Pennsylvania." | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Norwood
Run through this list before signing anything in Norwood:
- 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 Pennsylvania using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.