Property Tax Resources · Leon County, Texas
East Texas piney woods at the I-45 corridor — Leon County’s 0.83% effective rate is among the lower in the state, but its location between Dallas and Houston is beginning to attract outside land buyers.
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.
Leon County sits astride I-45 between Dallas and Houston, with Centerville as its county seat. The county is pine and hardwood timber country at the transition between the East Texas Piney Woods and the Blackland Prairie. Its location on a major interstate corridor has historically been an asset for commerce — and increasingly attracts attention from land buyers seeking rural acreage within driving range of two major metros.
At 0.83%, Leon County carries one of the lower effective rates in Texas. But on timber and hunting land whose values have begun rising with corridor spillover demand, even a low rate on an inflating base produces growing bills. 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.
Leon 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 Leon County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in Leon 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.) |
|---|---|---|
| Leon County | County | ~$0.36/$100 |
| Centerville ISD | School District | ~$0.86/$100 |
| Buffalo ISD | School District | ~$0.84/$100 |
| Multiple Special Districts | Special District | Varies |
Rates shown are approximate 2024 adopted rates. Verify current rates at leon.countytaxrates.com.
Search your account at leoncad.org. Know your Notice of Appraised Value and the deadline printed on it.
File online, by mail, or in person at Leon County Appraisal District: P.O. Box 536, Centerville, TX 75833. 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
Leon County sits between two of the largest cities in America but has managed to remain agricultural and rural in character. The founders wrote that no property shall be taken without consent and just compensation — and that protection extends to the Leon County timber farmer whose land is being eyed by urban buyers as much as it does to anyone in the state. Low rates don’t eliminate the right to an accurate appraisal. Look up your value. File your protest.
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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