Property Tax Resources · Real County, Texas
Remote Hill Country on the Frio River — Real County’s 0.71% effective rate is among the lower in Texas, but Leakey and the Frio River corridor have attracted increasing outside land buyer demand that is raising appraisals.
Sources: Population — U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024 estimates; Effective Tax Rate & Avg Annual Bill — Ownwell / Census ACS 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.
Real County occupies a remote stretch of the Texas Hill Country where the Frio and Nueces rivers carve dramatic limestone canyons through cedar and cypress terrain. Leakey is the county seat — a small community that has become increasingly popular with tubers, campers, and vacation cabin buyers drawn to the crystal-clear Frio River. The county’s economy runs on ranching, hunting leases, and the growing recreational tourism that the Frio River corridor supports.
At 0.71%, Real County’s effective rate is well below the state and national medians. But on Frio River corridor property and Hill Country ranchland whose values have been driven upward by San Antonio and Houston weekend buyers, even a low rate on an inflating base produces unnecessary bills. Few protests are filed in counties this small. 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.
Real 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 Real County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in Real 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.) |
|---|---|---|
| Real County | County | ~$0.32/$100 |
| Leakey ISD | School District | ~$0.88/$100 |
| Multiple Special Districts | Special District | Varies |
Rates shown are approximate 2024 adopted rates. Verify current rates at real.countytaxrates.com.
Search your account at realcad.org. Know your Notice of Appraised Value and the deadline printed on it.
File online, by mail, or in person at Real County Appraisal District: P.O. Box 39, Leakey, TX 78873. 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
Real County’s Frio River draws Texans seeking the Hill Country at its most unspoiled — cold, clear water and limestone canyon walls that no amount of outside money can really change. The founders wrote that no property shall be taken without consent and just compensation. When Frio River cabin demand inflates ranchland values beyond what ranching income supports, the protest system is the correction. Look up your value. File your protest. The Frio River country 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.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only link to services we believe may be genuinely useful to Texas property owners.
© 2026 Property-Taxes-Texas.com — A project of Carrie Hagglund
