Manvel

About Manvel

Manvel is a small rural city in Texas’ Brazoria County, located in the state’s southeastern region. Despite its small population, Manvel spans more than 23 square miles, providing residents with plenty of open space. In recent decades, Manvel has experienced rapid growth thanks to its available land, proximity to Houston and quiet, small-town sense of community.

The History of Manvel

Manvel’s first settlers were the Booth family, who settled in the Chocolate Bayou region in 1857. The railroad passed through the area in 1877, and a small town site was established at the railroad crossing over the next decade. By the 1890s, the town was home to several businesses, including a grocer, a real estate office, a doctor and a general store. After a handful of natural disasters and weather events in the 1890s, the town’s agricultural crops faced a difficult recovery process.

The first school opened in 1906, and the town grew quiet for a few decades. The Texas Oil Co. discovered oil in Manvel in 1931, propelling the town toward success as a major oil-producing community. Rice production became a part of the local economy in 1936, adding another major industry to Manvel’s foundation. However, the town remained extremely small, with just over 100 people calling it home in 1975. By the 1980s, the population had passed 3,000 people, and it surpassed more 5,000 in the early 2000s.

Living in Manvel

One of the major benefits of living in Manvel includes the numerous major cities that are within a short, easy drive. Both Houston and Sugar Land are within a 20-mile drive. Manvel’s convenient location puts plenty of big-city amenities within easy reach, including jobs, shopping, dining and entertainment.

However, if you enjoy staying close to home, Manvel has a lot to offer with its city limits. The City of Manvel Park and Croix Park provide extensive green space, picnic areas and play areas for children, which families can enjoy year-round thanks to the region’s mild weather. At the local library, a variety of materials are available for check-out. The library also hosts special events and youth programs, including a summer reading program and toddler story times.

Manvel Schools

The Alvin Independent School District oversees the public schools of Manvel. Manvel High School offers evening and weekend community college classes, and there are a number of colleges and universities within a half-hour drive of the city.

Resources for Moving to Manvel

As you prepare for your move to Manvel, use the following information to make the process easier:

• Utilities: Like all Texas cities, Manvel has a deregulated energy market. This means that you choose your own electricity provider. The city oversees water and sewer services, while natural gas is typically sourced from CenterPoint Energy.
• Garbage and Recycling: Trash and recycling are both collected on a weekly basis. Yard waste (including large brush) is collected once per month, by request.
• Transportation: Because Manvel is very rural, public transportation is limited. However, there’s a Greyhound station located on Highway 6 in Manvel.

Manvel Housing

Even though Manvel is very small, its convenient location has resulted in home prices that are considerably higher than the national average. It’s been growing rapidly in recent years, which has spurred new home construction and an active housing market. Many of the new construction options are large family homes, situated in planned neighborhoods. On the other end of the housing spectrum, you can also find cozy apartments in a number of multi-family communities across the city.