Gulf Coast / Coastal Bend
Matagorda County, Texas
A porch-side guide to the county: the stories that give it a shape, practical local checks, and a few things worth knowing before they surprise you. Every note points to its source.
4 stories · 8 practical · 0 good to know
The practical part
Matagorda County offices and deadlines
Appraisal district & tax office →
The Comptroller's official directory for Matagorda County: who sets your value and who sends the bill.
Homestead exemption →
File Form 50-114 with the appraisal district. It is free. The regular deadline is April 30, and late filing is allowed for up to two years.
Protest your appraisal →
The usual deadline is May 15, or 30 days after your notice arrives, whichever is later.
Estimate a tax bill →
Model a bill from local rates, the homestead exemption, and the appraisal cap.
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A little of what makes this place itself
Matagorda County · Local History
Bay City replaced an older town as the county seat in 1894
Bay City was founded in 1894 on the Bay Prairie between the Colorado River and Caney Creek, then quickly grew into a railroad and rice-farming hub.
Matagorda County · Major Industry
A large nuclear power plant operates in this county
The South Texas Project nuclear power plant, about 12 miles south of Bay City, is one of the largest nuclear stations in the country and a major local employer.
Matagorda County · Oil and Gas
Oil and gas activity here is regulated by the Texas Railroad Commission
Matagorda County has a long history of oil and gas production, and the Texas Railroad Commission regulates all wells and operators in the county.
All 12 local notes
The full county shelf is mixed so stories and useful checks travel together. Use the filters when you need one kind.
Showing all 12 notes.
- Stories & local character History & Culture Bay City replaced an older town as the county seat in 1894 Bay City was founded in 1894 on the Bay Prairie between the Colorado River and Caney Creek, then quickly grew into a railroad and rice-farming hub.
- Practical Outdoors Deer hunting in this county has a specific antler rule Matagorda County has a four-deer bag limit, but only one of your two bucks can have a wide antler spread — check TPWD for current season dates.
- Stories & local character History & Culture A large nuclear power plant operates in this county The South Texas Project nuclear power plant, about 12 miles south of Bay City, is one of the largest nuclear stations in the country and a major local employer.
- Practical Outdoors Matagorda Island is a wild, boat-only public hunting and fishing area Matagorda Island WMA covers more than 56,000 acres of barrier island and marsh, and you can only get there by boat.
- Stories & local character Rules & Licenses Oil and gas activity here is regulated by the Texas Railroad Commission Matagorda County has a long history of oil and gas production, and the Texas Railroad Commission regulates all wells and operators in the county.
- Practical Cars & Driving Register your vehicle at the county tax office in Bay City The Matagorda County Tax Assessor-Collector handles vehicle registration and title transfers at their Bay City office.
- Stories & local character History & Culture Matagorda County was one of Texas's first counties Organized in 1836, Matagorda County is among the original 23 counties created when Texas became a republic.
- Practical Home & Property A local district regulates groundwater in this county If you plan to drill a water well in Matagorda County, you must work with the Coastal Plains Groundwater Conservation District.
- Practical Home & Property Flood maps for this county were recently revised FEMA released revised preliminary flood maps for Matagorda County in early 2025, which could change flood insurance requirements for some properties.
- Practical Money & Taxes Homestead exemption cuts your school tax bill Texas law requires school districts to exempt a set amount of your home's value from school taxes — but you must file to get it.
- Practical Money & Taxes Two separate offices handle property taxes here Matagorda County splits property taxes between two Bay City offices: the appraisal district sets values, and the tax assessor-collector takes the money.
- Practical Home & Property Coastal homes may need windstorm insurance through the state Matagorda County is in TWIA's coastal coverage area, so wind and hail insurance can involve extra steps before closing.
Nearby counties