Property Tax Resources · Freestone County, Texas
Central Texas crossroads and lignite country — Freestone County’s 1.02% effective rate aligns with the national median, but agricultural and rural landowners face a growing appraisal pressure.
Sources: Population — U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024 estimates; Effective Tax Rate & Avg Annual Bill — Ownwell (2024); Protest Success Rate — Texas Comptroller PTAD data, approximate.
🔴 2026 Protest Deadline: May 15, 2026 — or 30 days after your Notice of Appraised Value is mailed, whichever is later. Miss this date and you waive your right to protest.
Freestone County lies at the crossroads of Central Texas, where the Trinity River drains south and the East Texas Pineywoods gives way to the Blackland Prairie. Fairfield is the county seat, and the county’s economy blends agriculture, lignite mining, and a rural residential population within commuting range of Corsicana and Waco. The county’s effective rate of 1.02% sits right at the national median — a modest rate on values that have climbed steadily.
More than half of Freestone County property owners who protested in 2024 achieved reductions. For those holding agricultural land or rural residential property, the protest process is especially worth pursuing — comparable sales can be difficult to establish, and appraisal districts sometimes rely on broad market adjustments rather than property-specific evidence. Your deadline is May 15, 2026 or 30 days from the mailing date.
Official CAD site — appraisal notices, exemption applications, and district contact information.
Search your property record, view current appraised value, and verify exemption status.
Freestone County Appraisal District protest procedures, online filing portal, and deadline information for the current year.
Every taxing entity’s proposed rate, adopted rate, and public hearing schedule for Freestone County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in Freestone County — your school district, city, county — must publish its proposed rate and hold a public hearing before adopting any rate exceeding the no-new-revenue rate. These meetings are open. Your voice is on the record.
| Taxing Entity | Type | Rate (2024 approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Freestone County | County | ~$0.38/$100 |
| Fairfield ISD | School District | ~$0.90/$100 |
| Teague ISD | School District | ~$0.88/$100 |
| City of Fairfield | City | ~$0.35/$100 |
| Multiple Special Districts | Special District | Varies |
Rates shown are approximate 2024 adopted rates. Verify current rates at freestone.countytaxrates.com. Special districts vary by location — check your tax statement for all entities billing your property.
Search your account at freestonecad.org. Know your Notice of Appraised Value and the deadline printed on it.
File online, by mail, or in person at Freestone County Appraisal District: P.O. Box 885, Fairfield, TX 75840. Deadline: May 15, 2026 or 30 days after your notice was mailed.
Recent sales of comparable properties, your purchase price, photos of condition issues, and repair estimates all strengthen your case.
Before your ARB hearing, a CAD appraiser may offer to settle. Review any offer carefully before accepting — you can accept or proceed to the formal hearing.
The Appraisal Review Board is independent of the CAD. Present your evidence clearly and concisely. Most hearings run 15–30 minutes.
Disagree with the ARB ruling? You may appeal to district court, binding arbitration, or SOAH (properties over $1 million).
“No person’s particular services shall be demanded, nor property taken or applied to public use, unless by the consent of himself or his representative, without just compensation being made therefor.”
— Section 13, Declaration of Rights, Republic of Texas, 1836
Freestone County sits on land that has been farmed, ranched, and mined through generations of Texas history. The founders of the Republic wrote that no property shall be taken without consent and just compensation — a principle that applies to a Freestone County cotton field or lignite lease as directly as to any suburban home. Rising appraisals that outpace farm income are not an abstraction here; they are a direct threat to the operations that define the county. Look up your value. File your protest. The mechanism exists for exactly this reason.
For informational and educational purposes only. Property-Taxes-Texas.com is a citizen advocacy and education resource. Nothing on this site constitutes legal, financial, tax, or appraisal advice. We are not attorneys, CPAs, or licensed appraisers. Consult a licensed Texas attorney, qualified financial advisor, or certified appraiser for guidance specific to your situation. Deadlines, rates, and statutes are subject to change — verify all details with your county appraisal district or the Texas Comptroller before acting.
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