Property Tax Resources · Henderson County, Texas
East Texas lake country and the gateway to the Piney Woods — Henderson County’s 0.94% effective rate is among the lower in East Texas, but Cedar Creek Lake-driven values are pushing residential appraisals steadily higher.
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.
Henderson County anchors East Texas lake country, with Athens as its county seat and Cedar Creek Reservoir — one of the largest lakes in Texas — drawing recreational buyers and retirees from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The county’s economy blends agriculture, timber, some oil and gas production, and a growing retirement and recreational residential market.
At 0.94%, Henderson County’s effective rate is below the state median — but on lake-frontage and recreational properties whose values have risen sharply with DFW demand, even a modest rate produces meaningful bills. More than half of those who protested in 2024 achieved reductions. For lakefront owners whose valuations reflect recreational market comparables rather than productive use, the protest process is worth pursuing.
Official CAD site — appraisal notices, exemption applications, and district contact information.
Search your property record, view current appraised value, and verify exemption status.
Henderson 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 Henderson County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in Henderson 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 Henderson County Tax Rates →| Taxing Entity | Type | Rate (2025 adopted) |
|---|---|---|
| Henderson County | County | $0.3315/$100 |
| Athens ISD | School District | $1.0569/$100 |
| Brownsboro ISD | School District | $1.0595/$100 |
| Cross Roads ISD | School District | $0.9373/$100 |
| Eustace ISD | School District | $0.9008/$100 |
| Frankston ISD | School District | $0.9204/$100 |
| Kemp ISD | School District | $1.1735/$100 |
| LaPoynor ISD | School District | $0.8125/$100 |
| Mabank ISD | School District | $0.9469/$100 |
| Malakoff ISD | School District | $0.9169/$100 |
| Murchison ISD | School District | $0.6669/$100 |
| Trinidad ISD | School District | $0.8750/$100 |
| Van ISD | School District | $0.9490/$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 hendersoncad.net. Know your Notice of Appraised Value and the deadline printed on it.
File online, by mail, or in person at Henderson County Appraisal District: P.O. Box 430, Athens, TX 75751. 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, 1836Henderson County’s lakes and timber land have drawn Texans in search of a quieter life for generations. The founders wrote that no property shall be taken without just compensation — a principle that applies as clearly to a Cedar Creek lakehouse as to any other property in the state. When DFW recreational demand drives appraised values beyond what local income supports, the protest system is the correction. Look up your value. File your protest. Lake country property owners have the same rights as everyone else.
