Property Tax Resources · Starr County, Texas
Rio Grande City and the South Texas border — Starr County’s 1.28% effective rate produces among the lowest median bills in Texas due to very modest home values, pressing hard on a border community with limited household income.
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.
Starr County sits on the Rio Grande in South Texas, with Rio Grande City as its county seat. The county has one of the lowest median property tax bills in Texas — not because the rate is low, but because median home values are among the most modest in the state. A 1.28% rate on a $33,000 median home produces a very small dollar bill, but it still represents a meaningful share of household income in a border community where wages are modest.
At 1.28%, Starr County’s effective rate is above the national median. The combination of a higher-than-average rate applied to very low home values means the system is particularly burdensome relative to local income. 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.
Starr 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 Starr County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in Starr 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.) |
|---|---|---|
| Starr County | County | ~$0.52/$100 |
| Rio Grande City CISD | School District | ~$0.90/$100 |
| Roma ISD | School District | ~$0.88/$100 |
| City of Rio Grande City | City | ~$0.42/$100 |
| Multiple Special Districts | Special District | Varies |
Rates shown are approximate 2024 adopted rates. Verify current rates at starr.countytaxrates.com.
Search your account at starrcad.org. Know your Notice of Appraised Value and the deadline printed on it.
File online, by mail, or in person at Starr County Appraisal District: P.O. Box 1240, Rio Grande City, TX 78582. 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
Starr County’s border families have built their lives on the Rio Grande on modest incomes that the South Texas economy has historically constrained. The founders of the Republic wrote that no property shall be taken without consent and just compensation. A 1.28% rate on a $33,000 home takes a proportionately larger share of a Starr County household’s income than the same rate on a $300,000 home anywhere else in Texas. That principle demands accuracy. Look up your value. File your protest. The Rio Grande 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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