Bastrop County Property Tax Guide – Trends, Appeals & How to Lower Your Bill
📍 Bastrop County, TX | Updated: March 2025
Overview of Bastrop County Property Taxes
Bastrop County, located just east of Austin, has become one of the fastest-growing areas in Central Texas, drawing in commuters, second-home buyers, STR investors, and remote workers. With booming growth in Bastrop, Elgin, Cedar Creek, and Smithville, property values have surged — and so have property tax assessments.
New subdivisions, land speculation, and increased STR activity have caused the Bastrop County Appraisal District to revalue many properties aggressively, often using inflated comps that don’t match the condition or location of the home.
📌 Why It Matters: Whether you're a full-time resident, investor, or rural landowner, there's a good chance your Bastrop County property is over-assessed. Filing a protest can lead to real tax savings.
📞 Need help filing a protest? Get a Free Consultation
📊 Bastrop County Quick Facts
✔ 📍 Location: Central Texas, southeast of Austin
✔ 🏆 Size Rank: 46th largest county in Texas (888 sq mi)
✔ 👥 Population Rank: 38th most populous (~108,000 residents)
✔ 🌆 Largest Cities: Bastrop, Elgin, Smithville, Cedar Creek
✔ 🏡 Median Home Price: ~$345,000
✔ 💰 Median Property Tax Bill: ~$6,850 per year
✔ 🏛️ Major Economic Drivers: Real estate, STRs, Tesla Gigafactory spillover, small business, tourism
✔ 🚗 Major Highways: SH-71, SH-95, FM-969
📊 Bastrop County Property Tax Trends
📈 Property Tax Rates & Assessments
Avg. Tax Rate: ~2.15% of assessed value
Avg. Home Value: 💲**$345,000** (up 9.2% from last year)
Median Property Tax Bill: 💲**$6,850**
🏡 Home Value Increases (Past 5 Years)
📅 Year 🏠 Avg. Home Value 📈 % Change
2021 💲**$275,000** 🔺 +7.0%
2022 💲**$305,000** 🔺 +10.9%
2023 💲**$325,000** 🔺 +6.6%
2024 💲**$345,000** 🔺 +6.2%
2025 💲**$377,000** (est.) 🔺 +9.2%
📌 Tip: Many appraisals increase year-over-year even when actual sale prices do not—protest if your increase feels inflated.
📌 Tip: In Bastrop County, rapid growth near Tesla and Austin has pushed up home values—even in rural areas. But not all properties benefit equally from this growth, so if your appraisal doesn’t reflect your home’s condition or location, it’s time to protest.
✅ What This Means: Homeowners are facing higher tax bills due to increasing property values. If your home’s appraised value is rising faster than similar properties in your area, you might be overpaying.
🔎 Not sure if your property is over-assessed? Check Your Bastrop County Property Value
Who Pays the Highest Property Taxes in Bastrop County?
Certain areas of Bastrop County-especially newer subdivisions near Tesla, remote STR zones, & Highway 71 corridor home-pay higher tax rates due to rapid development, school bonds, and speculative land valuations.
💰 Highest Property Tax Rates by City
🏙️ City 📊 Est. Tax Rate 🏡 Avg. Home Price
Bastrop (City) 2.17% 💲**$365,000**
Cedar Creek 2.15% 💲**$385,000**
Elgin 2.13% 💲**$330,000**
Smithville 2.11% 💲**$325,000**
Rural Bastrop Co. 2.09% 💲**$310,000**
📌 Tip: Homes in fast-growing zones near SH-71 and Tesla spillover are frequently over-assessed based on future growth expectations. Protesting helps correct inflated assumptions.
How to Protest Your Property Tax Assessment in Bastrop County
If you believe your property is overvalued, you have the right to appeal your assessment with Bastrop Central Appraisal District (BCAD).
📅 Key Deadlines for 2025
🛑 Notice of Appraised Value Sent: Early April 2025
🛑 Property Tax Protest Deadline: May 15, 2025
Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Protest
1️⃣ Review Your BCAD Assessment
Visit bastropcad.org to check your property’s appraised value.
2️⃣ Gather Supporting Evidence
Recent sales data from similar properties.
Photos of property damage or defects affecting value.
Neighboring properties’ tax assessments (to compare values).
3️⃣ File a Protest with BCAD
✅ Online: Submit your appeal at bastropcad.org
✅ By Mail: Send a written protest to BCAD before the May 15th deadline:
212 Jackson St
Bastrop, TX 78602
✅ In-Person: Visit BCAD’s office in Bastrop to file directly.
4️⃣ Attend Your Informal Hearing
BCAD may offer a settlement to reduce your valuation.
5️⃣ Formal Hearing
If no agreement is reached, you can present your case to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB).
🔹 Need expert help? Start Your Free Property Tax Review
💰 Save Money on Your Bastrop County Property Taxes
Don’t wait—appealing your property tax assessment could save you thousands per year. If you’re unsure where to start, Texas Tax Appeal can handle the entire process for you.
📧 Email: info@texastaxappeal.com
🌐 Start Your Free Consultation
🔹 Protest Deadline: May 15, 2025
📌 Don't Overpay! Check if You Qualify for a Lower Tax Bill.
🛠 Resources for Bastrop County Property Owners
📌 Bastrop Central Appraisal District (BCAD)- Chief Appraiser, Faun Cullens
📌 Bastrop County Taxpayer Liaison Officer- Lynn Howell
📌 Bastrop County Tax Assessor- Ellen Owens
🌴Unique Property Tax Situation in Bastrop County
Bastrop County is experiencing a development boom, with demand from Tesla employees, STR investors, and Austin transplants pushing values up faster than many properties can sustain.
✔ Land near SH-71 and Tesla corridor is being valued based on speculative future growth
✔ Older homes and rural properties are often compared unfairly to new construction
✔ STRs and non-homesteaded homes are appraised at full market value without any protection
✔ High development pressure leads to inflated appraisals based on future, not present value
📌 What This Means: Whether your property is residential, rental, or land, there’s a good chance it’s over-appraised. Filing a protest can help correct the value and reduce your tax burden.
📞 Get a Free Property Tax Review Today! 🚀
This guide provides an overview of Bastrop County’s property tax system, recent market trends, and how to appeal your assessment for potential tax savings.
🔹 Bastrop Central Appraisal District (BCAD)- oversees property valuations.
🔹 Bastrop County Tax Assessor-Collector- collects property taxes based off of Bastrop CAD’s valuations
🔹 Property Taxpayers' Bill of Rights
🔹 The deadline to appeal your 2025 property tax assessment is May 15.
📞 Need help filing a protest? Get a Free Consultation or Sign Up to Protest Now