Small-Town Northeast Texas Living Along Historic Crossroads

Maud is a town of approximately 3,660 residents in Bowie County where the median home value sits at $150,000 and three-quarters of residents own their homes. The community is served by Maud ISD, which holds an A rating from the Texas Education Agency and educates 450 students across one campus. With a median household income of $69,350 according to Census Bureau data and median rent at $776 monthly, Maud offers cost-of-living advantages well below state averages. The local economy connects to Bowie County's healthcare, manufacturing, and retail employment base, with many residents commuting to Texarkana for work.

History

Maud's location at the site of Epperson's Ferry connects the town to centuries of travel history, from Caddo Indian crossings through Spanish exploration to the establishment of Trammel's Trace in the early 1800s. The Maud United Methodist Church, organized in 1874 on Jesse M. Ball's farm, represents the agricultural settlement era that shaped the community's character.

ZIP Codes Compared

Maud's compact geography means housing stock remains relatively consistent throughout town, with most properties falling in the $100,000 to $200,000 range. Buyers looking for variation in price or style may need to expand their search to surrounding Bowie County communities.

Demographics

Maud's population skews older with a median age of 45.2 years, and the community is predominantly White at 88.7 percent with smaller Hispanic, Black, and Asian populations. About a quarter of adults hold bachelor's degrees, and the high homeownership rate of 75 percent reflects a stable residential base of long-term residents and families.

Economy

Bowie County's economy centers on healthcare and social assistance with over 7,600 employees earning average pay of $60,716, followed by retail trade and manufacturing sectors. Maud residents often commute to these county-level jobs or work in construction, wholesale trade, and service industries that support the regional economy.

Schools

Maud ISD serves the community with an A rating from the Texas Education Agency, operating one school that educates 450 students from elementary through high school. The district's small size allows for close-knit learning environments and strong community involvement in school activities.

Cost of Living

With median home values at $150,000 and median rent at $776 monthly according to Census estimates, Maud's housing costs run significantly below Texas state averages. The overall cost of living remains manageable for households earning the local median income of $69,350.

Homeowners Associations

Maud has no registered homeowners associations in county records, reflecting the town's character as a place where individual property ownership prevails without deed restrictions or mandatory community fees. Homebuyers here enjoy full control over their properties without HOA oversight.

About Maud

Maud sits in the northeast corner of Texas in Bowie County, a community of roughly 3,660 residents where the median age hovers around 45 and three-quarters of households own their homes. This is a town shaped by its position along ancient travel routes—the site of Epperson's Ferry marks a crossing used by Caddo Indians, French and Spanish explorers, and travelers along Trammel's Trace dating back to the early 1800s. Mark Epperson established his ferry operation here before 1837, and that tradition of serving travelers and settlers laid the foundation for the agricultural community that grew around it.

The Maud United Methodist Church traces its roots to 1874, when Reverend Thomas Jefferson Milam organized a mission on Jesse M. Ball's farm in the Three Springs community. The original meetinghouse was built immediately on Ball's property, and the congregation represents the kind of institutional continuity that defines life here. Today's Maud maintains that small-town character where community institutions like Maud School serve as gathering points and where neighbors know each other by name.

Daily life revolves around the rhythms of a town where homeownership is the norm and commutes often lead to jobs in nearby Texarkana or within Bowie County's healthcare, manufacturing, and retail sectors. The median household income of $69,350 supports a cost of living well below state averages, with median home values around $150,000 making ownership accessible for working families and retirees alike. Maud School anchors the community as part of Maud ISD, which serves 450 students and carries an A rating from the state.

This is a place for people seeking quiet, affordable living with deep roots in Northeast Texas history. The town doesn't offer urban amenities or a bustling commercial district, but it provides space, affordability, and a slower pace that appeals to families looking to raise children in a tight-knit environment and retirees drawn to manageable property costs and a stable community.

Classification

Type

Incorporated Place

Class Code

C1

Identifiers

GEOID

4847088

State FIPS

48

Place FIPS

47088

Statistics

Neighborhoods

0

Population

1,137

Geography

Geometry

polygon

Area

4 km²

County

Bowie

Data Source

Primary Source

tiger

Census Reference

QuickFacts

Frequently Asked Questions About Maud

Is Maud a good place to live?

Maud works well for buyers seeking affordable homeownership in a quiet, established community where neighbors know each other and institutional ties run deep. With a median home value of $150,000 according to Census Bureau data and a homeownership rate of 75 percent, the town attracts families and retirees who value stability over urban amenities. The community's location along historic routes like Trammel's Trace and the site of Epperson's Ferry gives it a sense of place rooted in centuries of Northeast Texas settlement. Maud ISD's A rating from the Texas Education Agency provides quality education for the 450 students it serves, and the town's median age of 45.2 years reflects a mix of working families and older residents who've chosen to stay. This isn't a place for people who need extensive shopping, dining, or entertainment options close by, but it offers space, low cost of living, and a slower pace that many find appealing after years in busier areas.

What is the cost of living in Maud?

Maud's cost of living runs well below both Texas and national averages, driven primarily by housing costs that make homeownership accessible on moderate incomes. The median home value of $150,000 according to Census estimates means buyers can find detached single-family homes for prices that would barely cover a down payment in Dallas or Austin. Renters pay a median of $776 monthly, and with the median household income at $69,350, housing costs consume a manageable portion of typical family budgets. Everyday expenses like groceries and utilities align with small-town Texas norms, and the absence of registered HOAs means no monthly association fees eating into household budgets. Property taxes vary by district, but the overall tax burden remains reasonable compared to metro areas. Bowie County's employment in healthcare, manufacturing, and retail provides local job opportunities with average manufacturing pay around $68,168 per Bureau of Labor Statistics data, though many residents commute to Texarkana for work. The combination of low housing costs and modest living expenses makes Maud one of the more affordable places to own a home in Northeast Texas.

How are the schools in Maud?

Maud ISD serves the community with an A rating from the Texas Education Agency, operating a single campus that educates 450 students from elementary through high school. The district's small size creates an environment where teachers know students individually and families stay closely connected to school activities and decision-making. With only 450 students total, class sizes remain manageable and extracurricular options focus on core athletics and activities rather than the extensive program menus found in larger districts. The A rating indicates the district meets state academic standards and performs well on standardized assessments relative to its student population. Parents considering Maud should recognize that a single-campus district limits some choices—there's no shopping around for different elementary schools or specialized programs—but many families value the continuity of having children progress through grades in the same building with the same peer group. For families prioritizing small-school environments where everyone knows everyone, Maud ISD delivers that experience with solid academic performance. Families seeking more extensive course offerings, advanced placement programs, or diverse extracurricular options may need to consider private schools or districts in larger nearby communities.

Is Maud good for families?

Maud appeals to families who prioritize affordable homeownership, outdoor space, and tight-knit community connections over access to extensive amenities and activities. The median home value of $150,000 according to Census data allows families to purchase houses with yards at prices that build equity rather than paying metro-area rents, and the 75 percent homeownership rate creates neighborhoods of stable, long-term residents. Maud ISD's A rating from the Texas Education Agency and small enrollment of 450 students means children attend school in an environment where teachers and staff know them by name. The town's rural character provides space for kids to play outside and families to enjoy a slower pace, though parents should expect to drive to Texarkana or other nearby communities for youth sports leagues, shopping, and entertainment options beyond what a town of 3,660 can support locally. The median age of 45.2 years suggests a mix of families with school-age children and empty-nesters, rather than a predominantly young family demographic. Families thrive here when they value community stability, low cost of living, and small-school education more than immediate access to diverse activities and services. This is a place where kids grow up knowing their neighbors and where family life revolves around home, school, and church rather than scheduled activities at commercial venues.

Find Your Home in Maud

Whether you're drawn to Maud's affordable housing market or its small-town character rooted in Northeast Texas history, a Texas Ally advisor can connect you with properties that match your needs. We know Bowie County's market and can guide you through every step of the homebuying process.