Ellis County's appraisal district goes by a few names: the Ellis Appraisal District is official, but most homeowners still search for the Ellis County Appraisal District or Ellis CAD. Whatever you call it, it sets the value of every home and business in Waxahachie, Midlothian, Ennis, Red Oak, Ferris, and the rest of the county.
Ellis Appraisal District Contact Details
| Contact |
Details |
| Office |
400 Ferris Ave., Waxahachie, TX 75165 |
| Mailing address |
P.O. Box 878, Waxahachie, TX 75168-0878 |
| Phone |
972-937-3552 |
| Toll-free |
866-348-3552 |
| Fax |
972-937-1618 |
| Email |
ecad@elliscad.com |
| Website |
elliscad.org |
Searching Ellis County Property Records
The district's property search takes an owner name, street address, or property ID. A property record shows the current and prior-year value, the exemptions on file, and the land and improvement details.
Many Ellis County neighborhoods mix new construction with older homes. When you review your record, compare your value with homes of similar age and size, not just the newest ones on your street. Then confirm your homestead exemption is listed.
If your value still looks high:
Homestead Exemptions by City and School District
Exemptions in Ellis County vary a lot from city to city. Ellis County gives just a 1% homestead exemption, but a Midlothian homeowner gets 20% from the city and 10% from Midlothian ISD on top of the state's $140,000. Red Oak has no general city homestead exemption at all.
| Taxing unit |
Homestead |
Over-65 |
Disabled |
| Ellis County |
1% (min. $5,000) |
Tax ceiling |
Tax ceiling |
| Ellis County Lateral Road |
1% (min. $5,000) + $3,000 |
Tax ceiling |
Tax ceiling |
| Ennis ISD |
$140,000 |
$72,000 + tax ceiling |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
| Ferris ISD |
$140,000 |
$64,000 + tax ceiling |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
| Midlothian ISD |
10% (min. $5,000) + $140,000 |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
| Red Oak ISD |
$140,000 |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
$60,000 + tax ceiling |
| Waxahachie ISD |
$140,000 |
$65,000 + tax ceiling |
$65,000 + tax ceiling |
| City of Ennis |
1% (min. $5,000) |
$4,000 + tax ceiling |
Tax ceiling |
| City of Ferris |
4% (min. $5,000) |
$10,000 + tax ceiling |
$10,000 + tax ceiling |
| City of Glenn Heights |
None |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
| City of Midlothian |
20% (min. $5,000) |
$150,000 + tax ceiling |
$150,000 + tax ceiling |
| City of Ovilla |
None |
$50,000 + tax ceiling |
$50,000 + tax ceiling |
| City of Red Oak |
None |
$20,000 + tax ceiling |
$3,000 |
| City of Waxahachie |
7% (min. $5,000) |
$30,000 + tax ceiling |
$30,000 + tax ceiling |
Source: Ellis County Tax Office, 2025 rates and homestead exemptions by taxing unit. Over-65 and disabled amounts are in addition to the homestead exemption. Other ISDs, cities, ESDs, and MUDs have their own amounts; your property record shows what applies to your account.
To claim them, file Form 50-114 (Residence Homestead Exemption Application) with the appraisal district by April 30, by mail or in person in Waxahachie. Late applications are accepted for up to two years after the taxes become delinquent. Our guide to Texas property tax exemptions covers who qualifies.
Appraisal District or Tax Office: Who Does What
| Task |
Office |
| Set your property's value |
Ellis Appraisal District |
| Grant homestead, over-65, and disabled exemptions |
Ellis Appraisal District |
| Hear your protest |
Ellis Appraisal District and the Appraisal Review Board |
| Send your tax bill and take payment |
Ellis County Tax Office, 302 N. Monroe St., Waxahachie, 972-825-5150 |
| Publish adopted rates and exemptions |
Ellis County Tax Office rates page |
Ellis County's 2025 rate was $0.273992 per $100: $0.255778 for the general fund plus $0.018214 for the lateral road fund. Commissioners proposed keeping it flat for 2026. Your school district, city, and any ESD add their own rates; the Ellis County property tax rate breakdown lists them.
Protesting an Ellis County Appraisal
You have until May 15, or 30 days after your notice is mailed if that's later, to file. The district accepts protests through its online portal, by mail, or in person at the Ferris Avenue office.
Most protests begin with an informal review with a district appraiser. If that doesn't resolve it, you get a hearing before the Appraisal Review Board, an independent panel of county residents. For either one, bring recent sales of comparable homes and unequal appraisal comparisons, plus photos and repair estimates if your home has problems a drive-by appraisal would miss.
The Ellis County protest deadlines guide covers each step and date in detail.
Ellis County Calendar
| Date |
What happens |
| January 1 |
Property is valued as of this date |
| April 15 |
Business personal property rendition deadline |
| April |
Notices of Appraised Value are mailed |
| April 30 |
Exemption application deadline |
| May 15 (or 30 days after your notice) |
Protest deadline, whichever is later |
| Late spring and summer |
Informal reviews and ARB hearings |
| October |
Tax bills are mailed by the Ellis County Tax Office |
| January 31 |
Property taxes are due |
Want Help With Your Ellis County Value?
Ballard Property Tax Protest reviews your value every year, files your protest, and represents you at the informal review and the ARB. There's no upfront cost, and you only pay if we lower your value.
Sign up in a few minutes or see how our Ellis County property tax protest service works.
Sources
Rates and exemption amounts in this guide come from the sources above and were current when we checked them in October 2026. They're for general information only. Taxing units can change their rates and exemptions each year, and your tax bill and your Ellis CAD property record are the official figures for your property.
