Galveston County Property Tax Guide – Trends, Appeals & How to Lower Your Bill
📍 Galveston County, TX | Updated: March 2025
Overview of Galveston County Property Taxes
Galveston County, located on the Texas Gulf Coast, is home to beachfront properties, vacation homes, and a strong short-term rental market. With increasing tourism, real estate appreciation, and rising property values, tax assessments have spiked for many homeowners and investors.
Homes in Galveston, Jamaica Beach, Tiki Island, and Crystal Beach have seen double-digit tax increases, especially non-homesteaded properties like vacation rentals, second homes, and investment properties. Additionally, flood zone properties are sometimes reassessed at higher values, despite ongoing insurance and maintenance challenges.
📌 Why It Matters: If you own a beach house, rental property, or second home in Galveston County, you may be overpaying on property taxes. Filing a protest can help ensure your assessment is fair.
📞 Need help filing a protest? Get a Free Consultation
📊 Galveston County Quick Facts
✔ 📍 Location: Texas Gulf Coast, southeast of Houston
✔ 🏆 Size Rank: 48th largest county in Texas by land area (873 square miles)
✔ 👥 Population Rank: 17th most populous county in Texas (~350,000 residents)
✔ 🌆 Largest Cities: Galveston, League City, Texas City, La Marque, Crystal Beach
✔ 🏖️ Tourism Rank: One of the most-visited beach destinations in Texas
✔ 🏡 Median Home Price: ~$420,000 (beachfront homes even higher)
✔ 💰 Median Property Tax Bill: ~$9,000 per year
✔ 🏛️ Major Economic Drivers: Tourism, short-term rentals, shipping, energy
✔ 🚢 Major Attractions: Galveston Beach, Pleasure Pier, Moody Gardens, The Strand, Bolivar Peninsula
✔ 🚗 Major Highways: I-45, SH-87, SH-146
📊 Galveston County Property Tax Trends
📈 Property Tax Rates & Assessments
Average Property Tax Rate: 2.14% of assessed value (varies by jurisdiction).
Average Beach Home Value: ~$550,000 (up 11.5% from last year).
Median Property Tax Bill: ~$9,000 per year.
🏡 Home Value Increases (Past 5 Years)
📅 Year 🏠 Avg. Home Value 📈 % Change
2021 💲**$400,000** 🔺 +8.0%
2022 💲**$440,000** 🔺 +10.0%
2023 💲**$480,000** 🔺 +9.1%
2024 💲**$550,000** 🔺 +11.5%
2025 💲**$615,000** (est.) 🔺 +11.8%
📌 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 Galveston County Property Value
Who Pays the Highest Property Taxes in Galveston County?
Certain areas of Dallas County, particularly luxury condos and high-rises in prime neighborhoods, pay higher tax rates due to land value reassessments, new developments, and increasing demand for urban living.
💰 Highest Property Tax Rates by City
🏙️ City 📊 Est. Tax Rate 🏡 Avg. Home Price
Galveston (City) 2.14% 💲**$550,000**
Jamaica Beach 2.12% 💲**$700,000**
Crystal Beach 2.08% 💲**$650,000**
Tiki Island 2.05% 💲**$750,000**
📌 Tip: As beach 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
How to Protest Your Property Tax Assessment in Galveston County
If you believe your property is overvalued, you have the right to appeal your assessment with Galveston Central Appraisal District (GCAD).
📅 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 GCAD Assessment
Visit GalvestonCAD.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 GCAD
✅ Online: Submit your appeal at GalvestonCAD.org
✅ By Mail: Send a written protest to GCAD before the May 15th deadline:
9850 Emmett F Lowry Expy
Texas City, TX 77591
✅ In-Person: Visit GCAD’s office in Texas City to file directly.
4️⃣ Attend Your Informal Hearing
GCAD 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 Galveston 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 Galveston County Property Owners
📌 Galveston Central Appraisal District (GCAD)- Chief Appraiser, Krystal L. McKinney
📌 Galveston County Taxpayer Liaison Officer- Norman B. Franzke
📌 Galveston County Tax Assessor- Cheryl E. Johnson, PCC, CTOP
🏡 Unique Property Tax Situation in Galveston County
Galveston County’s beachfront homes, flood-prone areas, and high rental demand have led to some of the most unpredictable tax assessments in Texas.
✔ Waterfront Properties Seeing Higher Taxes: Jamaica Beach, Tiki Island, and Crystal Beach homes are experiencing significant tax hikes due to tourism-driven demand.
✔ Flood Risk & Insurance Costs Affecting Valuations: Many properties face rising insurance premiums, yet tax assessments continue to increase.
✔ Second Homes & Rental Properties Paying More: Non-homesteaded properties are taxed at full market value, meaning property tax bills can be significantly higher than those for primary residences.
📌 What This Means: If you own a vacation home, rental property, or beachfront home in Galveston County, you may be overpaying on property taxes. Filing a protest can lower your tax bill.
📞 Get a Free Property Tax Review Today! 🚀
This guide provides an overview of Galveston County’s property tax system, recent market trends, and how to appeal your assessment for potential tax savings.
🔹 Galveston Central Appraisal District (GCAD)- oversees property valuations.
🔹 Galveston County Tax Assessor-Collector- collects property taxes
🔹 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