A Historic Rural Community in the Heart of Brown County

May is a small rural community in Brown County, Texas, with minimal demographic data available at the city level. The town is served by May ISD, which holds a C rating from the state and operates two schools serving 114 students total. Brown County's economy is anchored by manufacturing with 2,561 employees earning an average of $80,159 annually, followed by retail and food service sectors. The area has three registered homeowners associations and maintains its character as a historic settlement dating to the 1870s with several preserved pioneer cemeteries.

History

May's history stretches to the 1870s when pioneer families settled land originally granted to empresario John Cameron in 1827. The community's heritage is preserved through seven historical markers documenting churches, cemeteries, and the families who established settlements like Wolf Valley and Pleasant Valley across the surrounding countryside.

ZIP Codes Compared

Housing data broken down by ZIP code is not available for May given its size. The town's residential market consists primarily of single-family homes on larger rural lots rather than subdivided neighborhoods.

Demographics

Specific demographic data for May is not available at the city level. The town functions as a small rural community within Brown County, where the population is spread across agricultural lands and small settlements that date back to pioneer settlement in the 1870s.

Economy

Brown County's employment is concentrated in manufacturing, which provides the highest-paying jobs at over $80,000 annually, while retail trade and food service employ significant numbers at lower wage levels. The county supports a diverse mix of wholesale trade, finance, construction, and service sector jobs that provide local employment beyond the manufacturing base.

Schools

May ISD serves the community with a C rating from the Texas Education Agency, operating May Elementary School and May High School with a combined enrollment of 114 students. The small district provides education in a close-knit rural setting where class sizes remain intimate.

Cost of Living

Specific cost of living data for May is not available, though as a small rural community in Brown County, housing costs typically run below state metropolitan averages. The county's mix of high-paying manufacturing jobs and lower-wage service positions creates an economic range that supports various income levels.

Homeowners Associations

May has three registered homeowners associations on file, a relatively small number that reflects the town's rural character and the prevalence of traditional single-family properties rather than planned developments. Most residential areas operate without formal HOA structures.

About May

May sits in the rolling countryside of Brown County, a small town whose roots trace back to the 1870s when pioneer families began settling land that was originally part of a Mexican grant given to empresario John Cameron in 1827. The community grew as Baptist and Methodist circuit riders brought worship services to the area, with the May United Methodist Church tracing its origins to the 1860s when Reverend Hugh M. Childress first held services in private homes. The town's historical landscape is marked by several pioneer cemeteries including Wolf Valley Cemetery, where S.T. Tollette was buried in 1882, and Lost Creek Cemetery, which relocated from its original Hog Creek site due to rocky soil conditions. Today May operates as a quiet rural community centered around May Elementary and May High School, part of May ISD, which serves just over a hundred students. The May Tigers Sports Complex anchors local athletics, while North Lake Community Church continues the tradition of faith communities that shaped the town's early development. With Brown County's economy driven primarily by manufacturing jobs that average over $80,000 annually, May offers a small-town atmosphere within reach of the county's employment centers. The surrounding area maintains its agricultural heritage while supporting a mix of retail, food service, and construction work that provides local employment opportunities.

Classification

Type

Census Designated Place

Class Code

U1

Identifiers

GEOID

4847172

State FIPS

48

Place FIPS

47172

Statistics

Neighborhoods

0

Population

224

Geography

Geometry

polygon

Area

4 km²

County

Brown

Data Source

Primary Source

tiger

Census Reference

QuickFacts

Frequently Asked Questions About May

Is May a good place to live?

May offers a quiet rural lifestyle in a community with deep Texas roots stretching back to the 1870s. The town provides small-school education through May ISD, which serves 114 students with a C rating from the state, creating an intimate learning environment where students and teachers know each other well. Brown County's manufacturing sector provides solid employment opportunities with average pay exceeding $80,000 annually according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, though retail and food service jobs are more common locally at lower wage levels. The area appeals to those seeking land, privacy, and connection to pioneer history preserved through multiple historical cemeteries and markers. May lacks the amenities and services of larger towns, so residents typically travel to nearby communities for shopping, healthcare, and entertainment options beyond the basics.

What is the cost of living in May?

Specific cost of living data for May is not available given the town's small size, but rural Brown County generally offers housing costs well below Texas metropolitan averages. Property taxes vary across the county depending on location and applicable taxing districts. The local economy presents a wide income range, with Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing manufacturing workers earning an average of $80,159 while retail employees make around $34,073 and food service workers average just $19,354 annually. This wage disparity means affordability depends significantly on your employment sector. Residents should budget for transportation costs since rural living requires driving for most services, groceries, and employment. Utility costs for properties on larger lots with septic systems and well water may differ from city infrastructure expenses.

How are the schools in May?

May ISD serves the community with a C rating from the Texas Education Agency, operating May Elementary School and May High School with a total enrollment of 114 students according to state records. The small district size means limited course offerings and extracurricular options compared to larger school systems, but it provides an intimate educational environment where teachers can give individual attention and students participate across multiple activities. The May Tigers Sports Complex supports athletic programs. Families considering May should visit the schools to assess whether the small-school experience aligns with their children's needs, particularly for students seeking specialized academic programs, advanced placement courses, or diverse elective options that typically require larger student populations to sustain.

Considering a Move to May or Brown County?

Whether you're drawn to May's small-town atmosphere or exploring other communities across Brown County, a Texas Ally advisor can help you navigate the local market. We'll connect you with agents who understand rural Texas properties and can guide your search with expertise in this historic region.