Gillespie County Property Tax Guide – Trends, Appeals & How to Lower Your Bill
📍 Gillespie County, TX | Updated: March 2025
Overview of Gillespie County Property Taxes
Gillespie County, home to Fredericksburg and the heart of Texas Wine Country, has become one of the most desirable real estate markets in the Hill Country. With its thriving tourism industry, strong second-home market, and rapidly appreciating land values, property owners across the county have seen significant tax increases in recent years.
Luxury homes, ranches, and vacation properties in and around Fredericksburg have experienced sharp tax hikes, while longtime landowners in rural parts of the county are facing higher land value assessments. Additionally, non-homesteaded properties, including investment homes and bed & breakfast rentals, are seeing some of the largest increases.
📌 Why It Matters: Whether you own a primary residence, second home, or investment property, rising tax appraisals in Gillespie County could mean you’re paying more than your fair share. Filing a tax protest could help you lower your tax bill significantly.
📞 Need help filing a protest? Get a Free Consultation
📊 Gillespie County Quick Facts
✔ 📍 Location: Texas Hill Country, west of Austin & north of San Antonio
✔ 🏆 Size Rank: 68th largest county in Texas by land area (1,061 square miles)
✔ 👥 Population Rank: 111th most populous county in Texas (~27,000 residents)
✔ 🌆 Largest City: Fredericksburg
✔ 🏙️ Metro Area Rank: Part of the Texas Wine Country region
✔ 📈 Growth: One of the most valuable real estate markets in the Hill Country
✔ 🏡 Median Home Price: ~$650,000 (one of the highest in the Hill Country)
✔ 💰 Median Property Tax Bill: ~$11,500 per year
✔ 🏛️ Major Economic Drivers: Tourism, wineries, ranching, luxury real estate
✔ 🍷 Major Attractions: Texas Wine Country, Luckenbach, Enchanted Rock, historic Fredericksburg
✔ 🚗 Major Highways: US-290, SH-16, RM-1376
📊 Gillespie County Property Tax Trends
📈 Property Tax Rates & Assessments
Average Property Tax Rate: 1.89% of assessed value (varies by jurisdiction).
Average Home Value: ~$650,000 (up 12.5% from last year).
Median Property Tax Bill: ~$11,500 per year.
🏡 Home Value Increases (Past 5 Years)
📅 Year 🏠 Avg. Home Value 📈 % Change
2021 💲**$500,000** 🔺 +9.5%
2022 💲**$550,000** 🔺 +10.0%
2023 💲**$590,000** 🔺 +7.3%
2024 💲**$650,000** 🔺 +10.2%
2025 💲**$730,000** (est.) 🔺 +12.5%
📌 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 Gillespie County Property Value
Who Pays the Highest Property Taxes in Gillespie County?
Certain areas of Gillespie County, particularly Fredericksburg’s high-end homes and scenic ranch properties, pay higher tax rates due to land value reassessments, tourism demand, and development expansion.
💰 Highest Property Tax Rates by City
🏙️ City 📊 Est. Tax Rate 🏡 Avg. Home Price
Fredericksburg 1.89% 💲**$750,000**
Luckenbach Area 1.85% 💲**$700,000**
Rural Gillespie Co 1.80% 💲**$600,000**
📌 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 Gillespie County
If you believe your property is overvalued, you have the right to appeal your assessment with Gillespie County 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 GillespieCAD.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 KAD
✅ Online: Submit your appeal at GillespieCAD.org
✅ By Mail: Send a written protest to GCAD before the May 15th deadline:
1159 S Milam St,
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
✅ In-Person: Visit GCAD’s office in Fredericksburg 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 Gillespie 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 Gillespie County Property Owners
📌 Gillespie County Appraisal District (GCAD)- Chief Appraiser, Scott Fair
📌 Gillespie County Taxpayer Liaison Officer-
📌 Gillespie County Tax Assessor- Vicki Schmidt
🏡 Unique Property Tax Situation in Gillespie County
Gillespie County’s thriving real estate market, growing luxury home sector, and rising land values have led to some of the fastest property tax increases in the Hill Country.
✔ Historic Homes & Luxury Properties Seeing Higher Taxes: Fredericksburg’s high-end homes and historic districts are seeing sharp increases in valuations.
✔ Rural Landowners Facing Rising Land Assessments: Many longtime landowners in Luckenbach and rural Gillespie County have been hit with higher land valuations, increasing their tax burden.
✔ Development & New Construction Raising Comparables: New subdivisions and high-end developments are driving up comparable sales, impacting surrounding properties.
📌 What This Means: Whether you own a primary home, vacation home, or rural land, you may be overpaying on property taxes. Filing a protest can help ensure you’re paying a fair and accurate amount.
📞 Get a Free Property Tax Review Today! 🚀
This guide provides an overview of Gillespie County’s property tax system, recent market trends, and how to appeal your assessment for potential tax savings.
🔹 Gillespie County Appraisal District (GCAD) oversees property valuations.
🔹 Gillespie 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