Property Tax Resources · King County, Texas
The second least populated county in Texas — King County has fewer than 300 residents, sits in the Rolling Plains near the 6666 Ranch, and historically carries some of the highest property tax bills relative to population in the state.
Sources: Population — U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024 estimates; County Debt — Texas Bond Review Board (FY2025)
🔴 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.
King County is one of the smallest populated counties in Texas, with fewer than 300 residents in 912 square miles of Rolling Plains rangeland. Guthrie is the county seat — a town synonymous with the legendary 6666 Ranch (Four Sixes), one of the most iconic cattle operations in American history. The county’s property tax base is dominated by large ranching operations whose assessed values produce significant bills despite the tiny resident population.
At 1.56%, King County’s effective rate is above the state median — and on the large ranching operations that dominate the county’s property base, the resulting bills have historically been among the highest in Texas per property. Few protests are filed in a county this small, and the property tax system here is essentially a negotiation between the appraisal district and a handful of large landowners. Your deadline is May 15, 2026.
Official CAD site — appraisal notices, exemption applications, and district contact information.
Search your property record, view current appraised value, and verify exemption status.
King 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 King County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in King 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.
View King County Tax Rates →| Taxing Entity | Type | Rate (2025 adopted) |
|---|---|---|
| King County | County | $0.9347/$100 |
| Crowell ISD | School District | $0.8705/$100 |
| Guthrie CSD | School District | $0.8022/$100 |
2025 adopted rates per Texas Comptroller Tax Rates & Levies (source). City, MUD, college and other special-district rates may also apply depending on your parcel. Your total depends on which districts your property falls in — verify current rates at your county appraisal district.
What your Notice means and exactly what to do — and by when — after it arrives.
How the Texas homestead exemption lowers your taxable value, including recent changes.
When a property tax consultant is worth it for protesting your appraisal.
Lesser-known special valuations that can cut the taxable value of qualifying land.
The state office that oversees appraisal districts and protects taxpayers.
Who sets your county’s values and why that role matters to your bill.
Search your account at kingcad.org. Know your Notice of Appraised Value and the deadline printed on it.
File online, by mail, or in person at King County Appraisal District: P.O. Box 117, Guthrie, TX 79236. 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 — 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, 1836King County is home to some of the most storied ranch land in Texas — and the founders of the Republic wrote the Declaration of Rights with exactly this kind of large-scale property ownership in mind. No person’s property shall be taken without consent and just compensation. In a county where a handful of landowners carry the entire tax base, accurate valuations aren’t just a financial issue — they’re a constitutional one. Look up your value. File your protest. The Four Sixes country deserves fair assessment.
