Zapata, Zapata County, Texas Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Zapata, Texas
Median Zapata, Texas effective property tax rate: 1.85%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Texas state median of 1.48%.
Median Zapata, Texas home value: $55,615
Median annual Zapata, Texas tax bill: $1,005, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Zapata calculated?
Property taxes in Zapata, Texas are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Zapata's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Zapata, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Zapata, Zapata County, Texas Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.85%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,029
$955
How Does the Zapata Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Zapata property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Zapata's median effective tax rate of 1.85% — based on actual property records in Zapata County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Zapata's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Zapata: rates range from 1.85% in 78076 to 1.85% in 78076, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Zapata.
About Zapata Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Zapata, Zapata, Texas
Zapata's median effective property tax rate of 1.85% is higher than the Texas state median of 1.48% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Zapata County base levy combined with local school district levies and Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Zapata. Homeowners in the 78076 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.85%, while those in the 78076 pay 1.85%. This spread — 0 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Zapata County. Understanding which part of Zapata you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Zapata homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Appraisal District before the May 15, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Zapata, Zapata County, Texas
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Zapata's effective property tax rate to other cities in Texas and the median property tax rates in Texas and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Zapata Tax Rate
1.85%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Zapata County Tax Rate
1.85%
Median Effective Texas Tax Rate
1.48%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Zapata, Zapata County, Texas
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78076 | 1.69% | 1.85% | 1.85% | 1.85% | 2.17% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Zapata, Zapata County, Texas
When examining property taxes in Zapata, Texas, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Zapata County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Zapata County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Zapata.
For example, the median home price in Zapata is $55,615, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 78076 has the highest median home price at $55,615.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Zapata, Zapata County, Texas
Source: Ownwell
$21,225
$44,321
$67,416
Median Zapata Market Value
$55,615
Median Zapata County Market Value
$54,069
Median Texas Market Value
$258,851
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Zapata, Zapata County, Texas
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78076 | $11,918 | $25,699 | $55,615 | $105,176 | $176,720 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Zapata, Zapata County, Texas
Property tax bills in Zapata are based on the assessed value of a home, not the purchase price. Local taxing authorities apply tax rates to that assessed value to determine the annual bill, and those rates can vary by jurisdiction. For homeowners, this means a property with a lower market value may still face a higher bill if the assessed value or tax rate is elevated.
With a median home price of $55,615, property taxes in Zapata are shaped by relatively modest home values, but the bill can still differ widely from one home to another. The 25th percentile tax bill is $477, while the 75th percentile is $1,905 and the 90th percentile reaches $3,227. The median tax bill in ZIP code 78076 is $1,005, which is below the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Homeowners should review their assessed value carefully, since it is a key factor in how much they pay each year.
Median Zapata Tax Bill
$1,005
Median Zapata County Tax Bill
$970
Median Texas Tax Bill
$3,441
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Zapata, Zapata County, Texas
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78076 | $221 | $477 | $1,005 | $1,905 | $3,227 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to protest!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | May 15 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Zapata Appraisal District | |
| Website | esearch.zapatacad.com |