Howard County, TX Property Tax: $1,642/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Howard County is 1.09% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $150,300, that works out to about $1,638 per year, or $137 per month. Howard County is located in western Texas, and is home to approximately 33,127 residents.
About Howard County
Howard County covers approximately 900.8 square miles in Texas. The county is home to about 33,127 residents living in roughly 13,999 housing units, of which 58.5% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $71,457, and the median home was built in 1967.
Howard County borders Borden County, Dawson County, Glasscock County, Martin County, Mitchell County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Texas
Property taxes in Texas are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Texas offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Howard County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Howard County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howard County, TX | 1.09% | $150,300 | $1,638 |
| Texas state average | 1.28% | — | $1,924* |
| Borden County | 0.47% | $105,400 | $493 |
| Dawson County | 1.73% | $90,800 | $1,567 |
| Glasscock County | 0.46% | $248,600 | $1,154 |
| Martin County | 0.88% | $162,200 | $1,434 |
| Mitchell County | 1.96% | $85,700 | $1,680 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Howard County's median home value of $150,300. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Howard County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Texas?
At 1.09%, Howard County is lower than the Texas state average of 1.28%. On a home at the county median of $150,300, that means about $1,638 per year — versus $1,924 at the state average rate, a difference of $286 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Howard County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Howard County?
For a home at the county median value of $150,300, the annual property tax in Howard County is approximately $1,638 — or about $137 per month. For a home worth $225,450, expect around $2,457 per year. For a $300,600 home, approximately $3,277 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Howard County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Howard County are handled by the Howard County Assessor's office. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Howard County?
Texas counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 1.09% shown here. Contact the Howard County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File