Maud is situated by the St. Louis Southwestern Railway, near U.S. Highway 67 in southern Bowie County. The territory around Maud, known before the Republic of Texas era as the Red River Country, was among the earliest settled areas, but Spanish claims to the land, outlaws from the Neutral Ground, and general lawlessness discouraged extensive development. Before the city of Maud was established, the historic Trammel Trace road went just south of the city, where the crossing of the Sulphur River was made via Epperson's Ferry.[5]
After the railroad reached the site in 1870, a community gradually began to emerge. The town was named for Maud Knapp, daughter of Samuel D. Knapp, the first postmaster and the donor of land for the townsite. A post office opened in 1881, closed the next year, then reopened in 1893. By 1910, the population of the town had reached 300, and by 1940 it had grown to 750. During World War II, the Red River Army Depot and the Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant were built 6 miles (10 km) north of the community. These two facilities provided jobs for many Maud citizens. In 1982, Maud had eleven rated businesses and an estimated population of 1,059. The two military installations remained the largest employers of Maud residents. In 1990, the community population was 1,049.[citation needed]
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Maud has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[7]
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 977 people, 442 households, and 259 families residing in the city.
From the 1950 United States census to 2020, Maud has experienced relative growth and decline; with 713 residents in 1950, its population grew to a historic 1,107 in 1970; in 2020, however, its population declined to a further 977 residents.[4]
^Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[10][11]