Property Tax Resources · Lavaca County, Texas
Czech and German heritage Coastal Prairie country — Lavaca County’s 0.94% effective rate is below both state and national medians, but agricultural landowners face increasing appraisal pressure.
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.
Lavaca County sits on the Coastal Prairie between San Antonio and Houston, with Hallettsville as its county seat — a city with deep Czech and German immigrant roots and a long tradition of kolache festivals and agricultural fairs. The county’s economy is built on cattle ranching, row crop farming, and the diversified agriculture that the rich Coastal Prairie soils support. Lavaca County has maintained its rural character more successfully than many counties in the Houston-San Antonio corridor.
At 0.94%, Lavaca County’s effective rate falls below both the state and national medians. But on agricultural land whose values have risen with Coastal Prairie demand, even a low rate produces growing bills. 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.
Lavaca 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 Lavaca County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in Lavaca 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.) |
|---|---|---|
| Lavaca County | County | ~$0.38/$100 |
| Hallettsville ISD | School District | ~$0.88/$100 |
| Shiner ISD | School District | ~$0.85/$100 |
| City of Hallettsville | City | ~$0.32/$100 |
| Multiple Special Districts | Special District | Varies |
Rates shown are approximate 2024 adopted rates. Verify current rates at lavaca.countytaxrates.com.
Search your account at lavacacad.org. Know your Notice of Appraised Value and the deadline printed on it.
File online, by mail, or in person at Lavaca County Appraisal District: P.O. Box 404, Hallettsville, TX 77964. 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
Lavaca County’s Czech and German farming families built a community on honest labor, cooperative values, and deep roots in the Coastal Prairie soil. The founders of the Republic wrote that no property shall be taken without consent and just compensation — a principle that applies to the Hallettsville homeowner and the Coastal Prairie cattle rancher equally. A below-median rate doesn’t mean every appraisal is accurate. Look up your value. File your protest. Heritage farmland deserves honest 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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