Property Tax Resources · Karnes County, Texas
Eagle Ford Shale energy country south of San Antonio — Karnes County sits in the heart of Eagle Ford production with a 1.10% effective rate, where surface and mineral interest appraisals are driven by oil and gas activity.
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.
Karnes County lies in the heart of the Eagle Ford Shale play, one of the most prolific oil and gas formations in North America. Karnes City is the county seat for a community that experienced the full intensity of the Eagle Ford boom in the 2010s — rapid population influx, infrastructure pressure, and dramatic shifts in land and mineral values. The county’s median tax bill of $234 reflects extremely low residential property values, even as underlying mineral interests can be worth far more.
At 1.10%, Karnes County’s effective rate is above the national median — and for mineral interest owners whose production values were set during peak Eagle Ford activity, current assessments may not reflect the current production reality. The disconnect between low surface values and significant mineral wealth makes Karnes County one of the more complex appraisal environments in South Texas. More than half of those who protested in 2024 achieved reductions. 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.
Karnes 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 Karnes County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in Karnes 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.) |
|---|---|---|
| Karnes County | County | ~$0.45/$100 |
| Karnes City ISD | School District | ~$0.90/$100 |
| Kenedy ISD | School District | ~$0.88/$100 |
| Runge ISD | School District | ~$0.87/$100 |
| Multiple Special Districts | Special District | Varies |
Rates shown are approximate 2024 adopted rates. Verify current rates at karnes.countytaxrates.com.
Search your account at karnescad.org. Know your Notice of Appraised Value and the deadline printed on it.
File online, by mail, or in person at Karnes County Appraisal District: P.O. Box 188, Karnes City, TX 78118. 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, 1836
Karnes County sits on one of the richest energy formations ever discovered in Texas, yet its surface residents live in communities with some of the lowest property values in the state. The founders of the Republic wrote that no property shall be taken without consent and just compensation — and for mineral interest owners whose royalty income has fallen while production-based appraisals remain elevated, the protest system is the statutory correction. Look up your value. File your protest. The Eagle Ford built this county’s revenue — its owners deserve fair treatment.
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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