Property Tax Resources · Runnels County, Texas
Rolling Plains cotton and ranching country centered on Ballinger — Runnels County’s 1.01% effective rate sits at the national median, where cotton farming and cattle ranching define an agricultural economy on the Colorado River.
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.
Runnels County lies in the Rolling Plains of West Central Texas, with Ballinger as its county seat on the Colorado River. The county’s economy runs on irrigated cotton, cattle ranching, and some oil and gas activity. Ballinger is a small city that serves the agricultural community across a county that has seen steady population decline with agricultural consolidation, but whose land values have been influenced by energy and recreational demand.
At 1.01%, Runnels County’s effective rate sits right at the national median. For cotton farmers whose land values may have been influenced by nearby Permian Basin energy comparable sales, productivity valuations that reflect what the land actually generates are the right benchmark. Nearly 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.
Runnels 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 Runnels County.
Enter the date your Notice of Appraised Value was mailed to find your exact filing deadline.
Every taxing unit in Runnels 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.) |
|---|---|---|
| Runnels County | County | ~$0.42/$100 |
| Ballinger ISD | School District | ~$0.88/$100 |
| City of Ballinger | City | ~$0.32/$100 |
| Multiple Special Districts | Special District | Varies |
Rates shown are approximate 2024 adopted rates. Verify current rates at runnels.countytaxrates.com.
Search your account at runnelscad.org. Know your Notice of Appraised Value and the deadline printed on it.
File online, by mail, or in person at Runnels County Appraisal District: P.O. Box 524, Ballinger, TX 76821. 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
Runnels County cotton farmers have worked the Colorado River bottomland for generations, building an agricultural community on honest labor and honest valuation. The founders wrote that no property shall be taken without consent and just compensation. When energy activity inflates land comparable sales in ways that push cotton farm valuations beyond productive value, the protest system is the answer. Look up your value. File your protest. Rolling Plains agriculture deserves accurate 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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