Du Pre came from the postmaster of the nearby Mountain City, W. W. Haupt, who pleaded with railroad officials, “Do, pray, give us a depot.” Alternate unconfirmed legends suggest that Du Pre was the name of an Austin newspaper editor who may have been instrumental in bringing the depot to the future town site, or given local topography, could borrow from the French phrase “du pre,” meaning “of the meadow.” Various news sources of the time also spelled the name as Dupre or Dupree. Mrs. Cornelia A. Trimble plotted the town of Du Pre on April 1, 1881, releasing streets and alleys and also establishing a 150-foot wide “Reservation” between the lots and the railroad right of way. Though the reservation was the property of town citizens, the plot allowed the railroad to place buildings on the parkland, including the depot that would become the lifeblood of the town over the next few decades.

The Du Pre plot followed the convention of the neighboring city of Austin, giving east-west streets the name of local trees: Ash, Elm, Live Oak and China Streets. The north-south streets were named after surrounding communities: Austin and San Marcos Streets. Trimble inherited the 550 acres nestled between Onion Creek and the International and Great Northern Railroad from her second husband, A. N. Hopkins, who according to local newspaper accounts was murdered by his friend, Theodore D. Ormsby, on July 9, 1863. On July 31, 1864 the widow married David Trimble, who at some point in the 1870s abandoned his wife. The 1881 plot includes the line, “The whereabouts of said D.A. Trimble being unknown.” The lots of Du Pre were auctioned off the day after Cornelia Trimble filed the plot. A notice appeared in the April 2, 1881 morning edition of the Austin Statesman: “Du Pre – Spend Saturday, April 2, at Du Pre, on International and Great Northern Railroad, fourteen and a half miles from Austin. Great sale of lots, for business or residence. Plenty of shade and water. Bring your families and don’t forget your lunch baskets. Round trip, morning train 9 A.M., back in the evening.” On April 7, 1881, the San Marcos Free Press noted that “The sale of lots at DuPre last week went off right brisk, 17 having been sold at prices ranging from $60 to $100. Some farm lots across the tracks were auctioned off also.” Several businesses quickly sprang up in the fledgling town, including the Carrington Hotel, which became known for serving good meals to hungry railroad travelers.

In 1883, the Chandler addition plotted lots on the eastern side of the railroad tracks.

By the time Du Pre was forced to find a new name for itself, the Carrington hotel was already being referenced as “the Buda House.” In the “Dupre Notes” weekly column of the Sept. 25, 1886 edition of the Hays County Times and Farmer’s Journal, the author notes that “The Buda House is one of the best hotels in the state. The polite and entertaining hostess, Mrs. Carrington, meets all with a courteous welcome.” According to the town’s oral tradition, the name of Buda is a corruption of the Spanish word “viuda,” or “widow,” referencing the widows who supposedly worked as cooks at the Carrington Hotel. Others suggest that, like the town of Buda, Illinois, the name is a nod to the exiles of the failed Hungarian revolution who settled in the area.

In the 1920s, Buda was known as the town hit by the "flapper bandit." On Dec. 11, 1926, a 22-year old University of Texas at Austin student named Rebecca Bradley posed as a reporter from the Beaumont Enterprise and convinced officials from the Farmers National Bank of Buda to let her use the typewriter. As the bank was closing up for the lunch hour, Bradley pulled out a .32 automatic, aimed it on bookkeeper Wayman Howe and cashier B. E. Jamison, and herded the two bankers into the main vault. Bradley drove back to her home in Austin with $1,000 in five-dollar bills, but was apprehended that evening. In the ensuing media frenzy, it came to light that Miss Bradley was actually Mrs. Otis Rogers, having secretly wed the young law student more than a year prior. Prosecutors were unable to find a jury willing to convict such a young girl. After multiple hung juries, Rebecca Bradley Rogers walked free.

Over the years, Buda was the center of an agricultural community that was dominated by cotton production, then dairy farming and beef cattle.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,404 people, 866 households, and 685 families residing in the city. Based on utility hook-ups, the city estimated its 2007 population to be 4,500 residents. The population density was 385.1/km² (998.5/mi²). There were 910 housing units at an average density of 145.8/km² (378.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.95% White, 1.58% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 12.02% from other races, and 3.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 26.83% of the population.

There were 866 households out of which 44.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.5% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 17.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $54,135, and the median income for a family was $57,321. Males had a median income of $37,398 versus $30,064 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,167. About 3.3% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2007, Buda recorded $384 million of assessed property value within city limits. Based on a February 2007 survery of 14 central Texas cities, Buda had the highest per capita assessed property value at $85,431 per resident. The city recorded more than $3 million in sales tax collection in 2006, for a per capita sales tax collection of $675.

The city's ad valorem property tax rate for the FY07 budget is 16.7 cents per $100 of home valuation.

Economy
Located 15 minutes south of Austin just west of Interstate 35, Buda currently offers competitively priced office space, warehouse/manufacturing space and available land suited to industrial and commercial development combined with a rural atmosphere and the small town charm of an historic Texas town.

The convenient geographic location combined with slower paced lifestyle invites companies to develop and expand their businesses where there is an available workforce and a community eager to serve their needs. The Buda area also offers available housing for most income levels.

Attractions
Historic Main Street - Historic Downtown Buda is home to Antique Row, a collection of stores and businesses catering to those hunters of the fine antiques to the "what is that" and items ranging from the eclectic to the elegant can be found insuring that visitors to the area will not be disappointed in their treasure hunting.

Carrington House/Gazebo & Buda Park - As you cross over the railroad tracks into downtown Buda, you will see the Buda Park and Pavilion used for public gatherings and concerts. The Gazebo is the centerpiece of the greenbelt that is home to local festivals including BudaFest (early December). Across the street the Carrington House, once was a hotel and cafe for train passengers, is now an office building and demonstrates our community's commitment to preserve our past while looking to the future.

Old Stagecoach Property & Post Office - Located on North Loop 4 as you come into town from Austin, visitors can see the original Post Office built in the late 1800's. Currently the Post Office is part of a 50-acre park under renovation by the City of Buda and public-private partnerships that will become the centerpiece for welcoming guests to our area. Once completed, the park will include an Amphitheatre and Visitor Center with incredible views of the classic Hill Country scene on picturesque Onion Creek.

Jardine Foods - Located next to the Old Stagecoach Property, Jardine Foods is one of the premier specialty food makers in the State of Texas. The tasting room offers visitors a unique look of that which is truly Texan -- no sissy stuff here! Gift baskets filled with steak sauce, chips and one of the largest assortments of Texas Salsas can be purchased and shipped anywhere in the world. www.jardinefoods.com

Cabela's - World's foremost outfitter, Cabela's serves people who enjoy the outdoor lifestyle. Easy access from IH35 on Cabelas Drive. 15570 IH35, Buda, TX 786710, www.cabelas.com

Education
Located in North central Hays County, the Hays Consolidated Independent School District serves over 209 square miles. Parts of the district extend into southeastern Travis County and into western Caldwell County. The district currently has 17 campuses. Student enrollment in January 2007 reached an all time high with 11,957 students. Hays Consolidated ISD is considered a fast growth school district and district officials expect more than 12,500 students by August 2007.

Also, nearby Austin is home to The University of Texas, one of the largest universities in the country. It is also the flagship institution of The University of Texas System — the largest state system of higher education in Texas.

Transportation
The nearest airport to Buda is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (IATA code AUS), located 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Austin.