Karnes County, TX Property Tax: $1,344/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Karnes County is 0.98% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $136,900, that works out to about $1,342 per year, or $112 per month. Karnes County is located in southern Texas, and is home to approximately 14,819 residents.
About Karnes County
Karnes County covers approximately 747.8 square miles in Texas. The county is home to about 14,819 residents living in roughly 5,892 housing units, of which 51.5% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $59,103, and the median home was built in 1982.
Karnes County borders Atascosa County, Bee County, DeWitt County, Goliad County, Gonzales 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 Karnes County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Karnes County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karnes County, TX | 0.98% | $136,900 | $1,342 |
| Texas state average | 1.28% | — | $1,752* |
| Atascosa County | 1.32% | $157,400 | $2,079 |
| Bee County | 1.42% | $102,800 | $1,461 |
| DeWitt County | 0.86% | $167,200 | $1,437 |
| Goliad County | 1.04% | $182,800 | $1,892 |
| Gonzales County | 1.23% | $158,900 | $1,949 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Karnes County's median home value of $136,900. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Karnes County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Texas?
At 0.98%, Karnes County is lower than the Texas state average of 1.28%. On a home at the county median of $136,900, that means about $1,342 per year — versus $1,752 at the state average rate, a difference of $410 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Karnes County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Karnes County?
For a home at the county median value of $136,900, the annual property tax in Karnes County is approximately $1,342 — or about $112 per month. For a home worth $205,350, expect around $2,012 per year. For a $273,800 home, approximately $2,683 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Karnes County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Karnes County are handled by the Karnes 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 Karnes 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 0.98% shown here. Contact the Karnes 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