Hays County Property Tax Guide – Trends, Appeals & How to Lower Your Bill
📍 Hays County, TX | Updated: March 2025
Overview of Hays County Property Taxes
Hays County, located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, has become a real estate hotspot for luxury homeowners, short-term rental investors, and second-home buyers. With its proximity to Austin and San Antonio, plus its scenic beauty, wineries, and outdoor recreation, Hays County has seen significant home value appreciation, leading to higher tax assessments for property owners.
Cities like Dripping Springs, Wimberley, and San Marcos have experienced double-digit property value increases, driving up tax bills—especially for non-homesteaded properties such as vacation homes and rentals. Texas State University in San Marcos fuels rental demand, further increasing investment property assessments.
📌 Why It Matters: With rising home values, high tourism demand, and investment property growth, many Hays County property owners—especially those with STRs, vacation homes, or rental properties—are overpaying on property taxes. Protesting your assessment could lead to substantial tax savings.
📊 Hays County Quick Facts
✔ 📍 Location: Texas Hill Country, between Austin & San Antonio
✔ 🏆 Size Rank: 41st largest county in Texas by land area (678 square miles)
✔ 👥 Population Rank: 16th most populous county in Texas (~275,000 residents)
✔ 🌆 Largest Cities: San Marcos, Dripping Springs, Buda, Kyle, Wimberley
✔ 🏙️ Metro Area Rank: Part of the Austin-San Antonio corridor
✔ 📈 Growth: One of the fastest-growing counties in Texas
✔ 🏡 Median Home Price: ~$475,000 (one of the highest in the Hill Country)
✔ 💰 Median Property Tax Bill: ~$9,000 per year
✔ 🏛️ Major Economic Drivers: Tourism, real estate, higher education, wineries/breweries
✔ 🌿 Major Attractions: Jacob’s Well, Blue Hole Regional Park, Texas State University, Hill Country wineries
✔ 🚗 Major Highways: I-35, US-290, SH-21
📊 Hays County Property Tax Trends
📈 Property Tax Rates & Assessments
Average Property Tax Rate: 2.07% of assessed value (varies by jurisdiction).
Average Home Value: ~$475,000 (up 10.5% from last year).
Median Property Tax Bill: ~$9,000 per year.
🏡 Home Value Increases (Past 5 Years)
📅 Year 🏠 Avg. Home Value 📈 % Change
2021 💲**$375,000** 🔺 +7.5%
2022 💲**$400,000** 🔺 +6.7%
2023 💲**$430,000** 🔺 +7.5%
2024 💲**$475,000** 🔺 +10.5%
2025 💲**$525,000** (est.) 🔺 +10.5%
📌 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 Hays County?
Certain areas of Hays County, particularly high-value Hill Country properties, resort-style STRs, and new developments, pay higher tax rates due to school districts, city taxes, and special assessments.
💰 Highest Property Tax Rates by City
🏙️ City 📊 Est. Tax Rate 🏡 Avg. Home Price
San Marcos 2.07% 💲**$375,000**
Dripping Springs 2.05% 💲**$750,000**
Wimberley 2.02% 💲**$600,000**
Buda 2.10% 💲**$425,000**
Kyle 2.12% 💲**$400,000**
📌 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 Hays County
If you believe your property is overvalued, you have the right to appeal your assessment with Hays Central Appraisal District (HCAD).
📅 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 HCAD Assessment
Visit HCAD.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 HCAD
✅ Online: Submit your appeal at HCAD.org
✅ By Mail: Send a written protest to HCAD before the May 15th deadline:
21001 North I-35
Kyle, TX 78640
✅ In-Person: Visit HCAD’s office in Kyle to file directly.
4️⃣ Attend Your Informal Hearing
HCAD 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 Hays 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 Hays County Property Owners
📌 Hays Central Appraisal District (HCAD)- Chief Appraiser, Lauren Raven
📌 Hays County Tax Assessor’s Office - Jennifer Escobar
📌 Hays County Taxpayer Liaison Officer- Deborah Waterman
🏡 Unique Property Tax Situation in Hays County
Hays County’s scenic location, strong rental demand, and growing luxury home market have led to rapidly increasing property tax assessments.
✔ Short-Term Rental (STR) Hotspot: Dripping Springs and Wimberley have become major Airbnb & VRBO markets, leading to increased tax appraisals for rental property owners.
✔ Luxury Home Growth: High-value homes in Dripping Springs, Buda, and Wimberley have seen huge appreciation, meaning tax assessments are rising.
✔ Texas State University Rental Demand: San Marcos investors and landlords are facing higher tax bills as rental demand grows.
📌 What This Means: If you own an STR, vacation home, or rental property in Hays County, your property taxes may be inflated. Filing a protest could help lower your costs.
📞 Get a Free Property Tax Review Today! 🚀
This guide provides an overview of Hays County’s property tax system, recent market trends, and how to appeal your assessment for potential tax savings.
🔹 Hays Central Appraisal District (HCAD) oversees property valuations.
🔹 Hays 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