Property Tax Resources · Madison County, Texas
East Texas piney woods between Houston and Dallas on I-45 — Madison County’s 1.21% effective rate sits above the national median, with rural and recreational land values rising with corridor spillover demand.
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.
Madison County sits astride I-45 between Houston and Dallas, with Madisonville as its county seat — a small city at the junction of two state highways that has long served the agricultural and timber communities of the region. The county’s East Texas character is defined by piney woods, rolling terrain, and a mix of cattle operations, timber tracts, and hunting leases that have attracted increasing outside buyer attention.
At 1.21%, Madison County’s effective rate is above the national median. For agricultural and timber landowners whose values have begun rising with I-45 corridor demand, keeping appraisals current with actual comparable sales rather than speculative market values is the key lever. 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.
Madison 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 Madison County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in Madison 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.) |
|---|---|---|
| Madison County | County | ~$0.48/$100 |
| Madisonville CISD | School District | ~$0.90/$100 |
| City of Madisonville | City | ~$0.35/$100 |
| Multiple Special Districts | Special District | Varies |
Rates shown are approximate 2024 adopted rates. Verify current rates at madison.countytaxrates.com.
Search your account at madisoncad.org. Know your Notice of Appraised Value and the deadline printed on it.
File online, by mail, or in person at Madison County Appraisal District: P.O. Box 1448, Madisonville, TX 77864. 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
Madison County sits between two of America’s largest cities and has somehow remained rural and agricultural in character. The founders wrote that no property shall be taken without consent and just compensation — a principle that applies to the Madisonville timber farmer whose land is being priced by Houston buyers as much as anyone in the state. Look up your value. File your protest. East Texas corridor property deserves fair assessment.
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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