Ellis County Property Tax Rate: 2025 Rates by Taxing Entity
Ellis County presents a counterintuitive pattern: Ennis has the highest tax rate in the county (~2.15%) but the lowest tax bills, while Midlothian has the lowest rate (~1.99%) but the highest bills. The difference is home values -- Ennis's $268,000 median versus Midlothian's $400,000 median more than offsets the rate gap. For a typical Waxahachie homeowner, the combined rate falls in the middle at approximately 2.05% of taxable value, or $2.05 per $100, spread across Waxahachie ISD, the City of Waxahachie, and Ellis County.
An Ellis County homeowner in Waxahachie with a home valued at $380,000 -- near the area median -- pays approximately $7,798 per year in total property taxes before exemptions.
Ellis County Property Tax Rates by Taxing Entity (Tax Year 2025)
Your Ellis County property tax bill is the sum of taxes levied by every taxing entity that covers your property. Here are the current adopted rates for the major entities serving a typical City of Waxahachie homeowner:
| Taxing Entity | Rate per $100 | Est. Tax on $380,000 Home | Share of Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waxahachie ISD | $1.1681 | $4,439 | 57% |
| City of Waxahachie | $0.6100 | $2,318 | 30% |
| Ellis County | $0.2740 | $1,041 | 13% |
| Total (Typical) | ~$2.05 | ~$7,798 | 100% |
Important: Your exact rate depends on where you live in Ellis County. The county has four major cities -- Waxahachie, Midlothian, Red Oak, and Ennis -- each with different city rates and school districts. The total rate in Ellis County ranges from roughly 1.99% (Midlothian) to 2.15% (Ennis), and your specific combination of city and ISD determines your bill.
Waxahachie ISD: The Largest Share
Waxahachie ISD accounts for roughly 57% of a typical Waxahachie homeowner's property tax bill. The tax year 2025 rate of $1.1681 per $100 includes $0.6169 for maintenance and operations (M&O) and approximately $0.5512 for debt service (I&S).
Waxahachie ISD's rate is unchanged from the prior year, and the combined rate has fallen nearly 40 cents since 2018 -- a significant long-term reduction driven by growth in the district's taxable property values.
Other School Districts in Ellis County
Ellis County includes four major school districts with varying rates:
| School District | 2025 Rate per $100 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Midlothian ISD | $1.0708 | Lowest rate; decreased $0.0061 from prior year |
| Red Oak ISD | ~$1.1500 | Estimated |
| Waxahachie ISD | $1.1681 | Unchanged; down ~40 cents since 2018 |
| Ennis ISD | ~$1.2000 | Estimated; highest ISD rate in county |
Midlothian ISD's board voted 7-0 to adopt the $1.0708 rate, which is the lowest among area ISDs except one. The district made early bond debt payments that saved millions and enabled the rate reduction.
City Rate Comparison
Ellis County's four major cities have noticeably different tax profiles:
| City | 2025 Rate per $100 | Change from 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Waxahachie | $0.6100 | No change |
| Midlothian | $0.6500 | +14.0% |
| Ennis | $0.6807 | No change |
| Red Oak | $0.6953 | +3.5% |
Midlothian's city rate saw the largest increase in the county -- up 14% from approximately $0.57 to $0.65, generating $5.4 million in additional property tax revenue for the city.
How Ellis County Compares to Other Texas Counties
Ellis County's total property tax rate is moderate for the DFW metro:
| County / City | Approximate Total Rate | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|
| Rockwall County (Rockwall) | ~1.57% | $450,000 |
| Kaufman County (Forney) | ~1.99% | $350,000 |
| Ellis County (Midlothian) | ~1.99% | $400,000 |
| Ellis County (Waxahachie) | ~2.05% | $380,000 |
| Dallas County (Dallas) | ~2.10% | $310,000 |
Within Ellis County, Midlothian offers the lowest total rate thanks to Midlothian ISD's lower school rate, despite the city's 14% rate increase. Ennis has the highest total rate at approximately 2.15%, but its lower home values ($268,000 median) mean the absolute tax bill is the lowest in the county.
Ennis: Lowest Tax Bills Despite Highest Rates
While Ennis has the highest total rate in Ellis County, a homeowner there pays less in total property taxes because of significantly lower home values:
| City | Total Rate | Median Home | Est. Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ennis | ~2.15% | $268,000 | ~$5,774 |
| Waxahachie | ~2.05% | $380,000 | ~$7,798 |
| Midlothian | ~1.99% | $400,000 | ~$7,979 |
How Ellis County Property Tax Rates Have Changed
Ellis County sits along the I-35E corridor, one of the fastest-growing areas in the DFW metro. This growth has shaped rate trends across entities:
| Year | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Property values surged across DFW; rates adjusted downward |
| 2023 | State homestead exemption increased to $100K; Waxahachie ISD continued rate reductions |
| 2024 | Ellis County rate stable; Midlothian ISD rate at $1.0769 |
| 2025 | Midlothian city rate up 14%; MISD rate decreased slightly; Waxahachie ISD rate unchanged for 2nd year |
Waxahachie ISD has been especially effective at rate reductions, dropping nearly 40 cents since 2018. Midlothian ISD trustees made early bond debt payments, saving millions and positioning the district for further rate reductions.
How Your Ellis County Property Tax Bill Is Calculated
Your bill equals each entity's rate multiplied by your taxable value -- which is your appraised value minus any exemptions. Here's a worked example for a Waxahachie homeowner with a $380,000 home and the $140,000 school homestead exemption:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Appraised value | $380,000 |
| Less: School homestead exemption (SB 4 / Prop 13) | -$140,000 |
| Taxable value (school) | $240,000 |
| Waxahachie ISD tax ($240,000 x 1.1681%) | $2,803 |
| City of Waxahachie ($380,000 x 0.61%) | $2,318 |
| Ellis County ($380,000 x 0.274%) | $1,041 |
| Total estimated bill | $6,162 |
Keep in mind: The $140,000 school homestead exemption begins in 2026 under SB 4 (Proposition 13) and only applies to the ISD portion. The City of Waxahachie and Ellis County offer separate exemptions that further reduce your taxable value for their levies. Your total depends on which ISD and city cover your property and what exemptions you've filed. Learn more about how appraised value, assessed value, and taxable value work.
Why Your Ellis County Property Tax Bill May Be Higher Than Expected
Even if tax rates stay flat or decrease, your bill can increase for several reasons:
Rising Appraisals
The Ellis County Appraisal District revalues all properties annually. Home values across the I-35E corridor have been rising steadily -- the county median sale price reached $418,000 in May 2025, up 4% year-over-year. Even when ISD rates drop, rising appraised values can push your bill upward.
Midlothian's 14% City Rate Increase
Midlothian homeowners saw the largest rate increase in the county for 2025. The city rate jumped from approximately $0.57 to $0.65, generating $5.4 million in additional tax revenue. On a $400,000 home, this increase adds roughly $320 per year to the city portion of the bill.
Wide Rate Variation by Location
Ellis County's total rate varies significantly depending on your exact location. Within Waxahachie alone, effective rates range from approximately 1.09% to 1.43% depending on zip code and which taxing entities overlap your property.
How to Lower Your Ellis County Property Taxes
With Midlothian's city rate jumping 14% and home values climbing along the I-35E corridor, Ellis County homeowners should take full advantage of exemptions and the protest process.
1. File for Homestead Exemption
If you haven't filed for your homestead exemption, that's the simplest way to start saving. Beginning in 2026, the school district exemption rises to $140,000 under SB 4 (Proposition 13), saving a typical Waxahachie ISD homeowner roughly $1,635 per year in school taxes alone. The City of Waxahachie and Ellis County each offer their own additional exemptions.
The filing deadline is April 30, and you can file up to two years late to claim missed savings.
2. Protest Your Appraised Value
Ellis County median home prices reached $418,000 in May 2025, up 4% year-over-year. If your appraised value climbed along with the market but comparable sales or your home's condition suggest a lower figure, protesting your Ellis County property tax appraisal is your most effective path to savings. File before the deadline after reviewing your Notice of Appraised Value in April or May. Check Ellis County protest deadlines so you don't miss your window.
See how Ellis County compares to all 18 counties we serve in our Texas Property Tax Rates by County comparison.
Get Help With Your Ellis County Property Tax Protest
With four cities, four school districts, and rates ranging from 1.99% to 2.15%, Ellis County's tax landscape is more varied than it appears -- and a professional review of your appraisal can uncover savings specific to your location.
Ballard Property Tax Protest represents homeowners across Ellis County. We handle the entire protest process -- from filing to informal hearings to ARB representation -- and you only pay if we reduce your appraised value.
No reduction, no fee.