Wharton at a glance
- Population: 8,742 — 269th in Texas, which has 1,224 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 8,627 people counted in the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a gain of roughly 1.3% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Texas places: 269th of 1,224 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: roughly 78% of Texas's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 29.3176, -96.1023.
- Nearest larger cities: El Campo, TX (13 mi); Rosenberg, TX (23 mi); Bay City, TX (25 mi); Richmond, TX (27 mi); Fulshear, TX (29 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller communities: Kendleton, TX (10 mi); East Bernard, TX (14 mi); Beasley, TX (17 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Wharton
A personal loan gives you the full amount at once and spreads repayment over a set number of months at a fixed payment.
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.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
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 Wharton
The table carries the Texas rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Wharton.
| 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 Wharton
Run through this list before signing anything in Wharton:
- 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.