Property Tax Resources · Kenedy County, Texas
The least populated county in Texas — Kenedy County has fewer than 400 residents and covers 1,457 square miles of South Texas brush country ranching land on the legendary King Ranch corridor.
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.
Kenedy County is the least populated county in the contiguous United States by some measures, with fewer than 400 residents spread across 1,457 square miles of South Texas brush country. Sarita is the county seat — a community so small it has no incorporated town. The county’s land is dominated by massive ranching operations, including portions of the historic King Ranch and Kenedy Ranch, two of the largest private landholdings in North America. Mineral rights in the county’s Eagle Ford and other formations add a significant oil and gas dimension to the property tax base.
At 0.70%, Kenedy County’s effective rate is well below both the state and national medians — reflecting the low residential density and the fact that large ranching operations maintain significant political influence over local tax policy. For mineral interest owners, verifying that production valuations reflect current market conditions is still worth the effort. 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.
Kenedy 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 Kenedy County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in Kenedy 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 Kenedy County Tax Rates →| Taxing Entity | Type | Rate (2025 adopted) |
|---|---|---|
| Kenedy County | County | $0.8000/$100 |
| Kenedy County-Wide CSD | School District | $0.9022/$100 |
| Riviera ISD | School District | $0.7677/$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 kenedycad.org. Know your Notice of Appraised Value and the deadline printed on it.
File online, by mail, or in person at Kenedy County Appraisal District: P.O. Box 156, Sarita, TX 78385. 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, 1836Kenedy County is one of the last places in Texas that still looks like the frontier — vast, remote, and organized around large-scale ranching operations that have defined South Texas since the Republic era. The founders wrote the Declaration of Rights for every property owner in Texas, including the mineral interest holder in Sarita with no neighbors for miles. A 0.70% rate is modest, but accurate valuations still matter. Look up your value. File your protest. Even in the least populated county in Texas, the right exists.
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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