Cameron County Property Tax Guide – Trends, Appeals & How to Lower Your Bill
📍 Cameron County, TX | Updated: March 2025
Overview of Cameron County Property Taxes
Cameron County, located at the southernmost tip of Texas, has a unique property tax landscape influenced by its growing real estate market, coastal tourism, and second-home market. Rising property values, particularly in South Padre Island and Brownsville, have led to higher tax assessments for many property owners. Additionally, SpaceX’s expansion at Boca Chica has contributed to rising property values near Brownsville, affecting nearby homeowners and businesses. With cross-border trade booming between Brownsville and Matamoros, commercial property owners are also seeing increasing tax assessments.
📌 Why It Matters: Cameron County’s mix of vacation homes, investment properties, rapid development, and commercial trade hubs means many property owners are facing rising property tax bills—but protesting can help!
📊 Cameron County Quick Facts
✔ 📍 Location: Southernmost Texas, along the Gulf Coast & Mexico border
✔ 🏆 Size Rank: 38th largest county in Texas by land area (906 square miles)
✔ 👥 Population Rank: 13th most populous county in Texas (~425,000 residents)
✔ 🌆 Largest City: Brownsville – 16th largest city in Texas (~190,000 residents)
✔ 🏙️ Metro Area Rank: Part of the Brownsville-Harlingen Metro Area
✔ 📈 Growth: One of the fastest-growing counties in South Texas
✔ 🏡 Median Home Price: ~$215,000 (rising due to coastal demand)
✔ 💰 Median Property Tax Bill: ~$3,800 per year
✔ 🏛️ Major Economic Drivers: Tourism, international trade, space industry (SpaceX), agriculture
✔ 🏖️ Major Attractions: South Padre Island, Boca Chica Beach, Gladys Porter Zoo, SpaceX Launch Site
✔ 🚗 Major Highways: I-69E, US-77, US-83, SH-48
📊 Cameron County Property Tax Trends
📈 Property Tax Rates & Assessments
Average Property Tax Rate: 1.89% of assessed value (varies by jurisdiction).
Average Home Value: ~$215,000 (up 9% from last year).
Median Property Tax Bill: ~$3,800 per year.
🏡 Home Value Increases (Past 5 Years)
📅 Year 🏠 Avg. Home Value 📈 % Change
2021 💲**$180,000** 🔺 +5.5%
2022 💲**$195,000** 🔺 +8.3%
2023 💲**$200,000** 🔺 +2.6%
2024 💲**$215,000** 🔺 +7.5%
2025 💲**$235,000** (est.) 🔺 +9.3%
📌 Tip: As home values increase, property tax assessments rise too! If your home’s value jumped more than similar properties in your area, you may be overpaying on property taxes.
✅ 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 Property’s Value
Who Pays the Highest Property Taxes in Cameron County?
Certain areas of Cameron County, especially South Padre Island and Brownsville, pay higher tax rates due to tourism-driven property demand, special assessments, and local school districts.
💰 Highest Property Tax Rates by City
🏙️ City 📊 Est. Tax Rate 🏡 Avg. Home Price
Brownsville 1.89% 💲**$200,000**
Harlingen 1.90% 💲**$210,000**
South Padre Island 2.00% 💲**$425,000**
Los Fresnos 1.85% 💲**$240,000**
San Benito 1.87% 💲**$190,000**
📌 Tip: If your home is in a high-tax area, filing a tax protest can significantly lower your bill!
How to Protest Your Property Tax Assessment in Cameron County
If you believe your property is overvalued, you have the right to appeal your assessment with Cameron County Appraisal District (CCAD).
📅 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 CCAD Assessment
Visit CCAD.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 CCAD
✅ Online: Submit your appeal at CCAD.org
✅ By Mail: Send a written protest to CCAD before the deadline:
P.O. Box 1010
San Benito, Texas 78586
✅ In-Person: Visit CCAD’s office in San Benito to file directly.
4️⃣ Attend Your Informal Hearing
CCAD 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 Cameron 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 Cameron County Property Owners
📌 Cameron County Appraisal District (BCAD)
📌 Cameron County Tax Assesor’s Office
🏡 Unique Property Tax Situation in Cameron County
Cameron County's property tax system is shaped by coastal tourism, the second-home market, and international trade.
✔ Vacation & Second Homes: Areas like South Padre Island have higher property values due to demand for vacation rentals, leading to higher tax assessments for investment properties.
✔ SpaceX & Economic Growth: The Boca Chica SpaceX facility has increased property values near Brownsville, bringing economic growth but also higher taxes for nearby homeowners.
✔ Cross-Border Trade: Cameron County's location on the U.S.-Mexico border makes it a key hub for international commerce, which has impacted commercial property taxes.
📌 What This Means: If you own a vacation home, commercial property, or primary residence in a high-growth area, you may be overpaying on property taxes—protesting can help!
📞 Get a Free Property Tax Review Today! 🚀
This guide provides an overview of Cameron County’s property tax system, recent market trends, and how to appeal your assessment for potential tax savings.
🔹 Cameron County Appraisal District (CCAD) oversees property valuations.
🔹 Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector
🔹 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