Protest Your 2026 Hays County Property Taxes

Hays County is located in the Texas Hill Country between Austin and San Antonio, and is one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation. With a population exceeding 260,000 residents, the median home value is approximately $390,000, and at an effective tax rate of about 1.71%, the typical homeowner pays roughly $6,670 per year in property taxes.

The Hays Central Appraisal District (Hays CAD) appraises all property in the county annually. In 2024, nearly 44,000 property tax protests were filed - an impressive 35% of all parcels, one of the highest protest rates in Texas. Of those protests, 80% resulted in a reduced value. At the ARB level, 78% of cases still result in reductions.

Hays County experienced one of the sharpest market corrections in Texas, with property values declining 9.1% year-over-year in recent data. Despite this significant decline, assessed values often lag behind the actual market, meaning many homeowners are still paying taxes on values from the peak of the market. The county is home to Texas State University in San Marcos, and the rapidly growing cities of Kyle, Buda, and Dripping Springs continue to attract new residents.

With more than a third of Hays County property owners already protesting each year, the data is clear: protesting works, especially in a declining market where assessed values haven't caught up to reality.

For official property tax information, visit the Hays CAD website or the Texas Comptroller's Property Tax page.

Have questions about the protest process? Visit our FAQ page or contact us directly.