Petrolia, Texas
In Clay County of North Texas, Petrolia is a small city about 85 miles northwest of Denton, in the rolling prairie and mesquite country near the Red River. It lies in an area with a long oil-producing history, and the surrounding land remains a mix of ranching and petroleum production.
Property here runs through the Clay Central Appraisal District and the county tax office — the homestead exemption, the appraisal cap, protests, and any MUD, PID, or special districts all sit at the parcel level. The Clay County notes below cover the practical details, with the official county directory for the appraisal district and tax office.
Clay County notes
What to know around Petrolia
Property tax
How to lower your Clay County property tax bill with a homestead exemption
Homeowners who live in their Clay County home can file for a homestead exemption that removes part of the home's appraised value from taxation.
Property tax / Agriculture
Farm and ranch land in Clay County can be taxed on productivity, not market value
Clay County farm and ranch land may qualify for a special appraisal that taxes it based on what it produces, not what it could sell for.
Mineral rights / Oil and gas
In Clay County, the person who owns the oil may not own your land
Oil was found near Petrolia in 1901. More than a century of leasing has left many Clay County parcels with separate surface and mineral owners.
State park / Recreation
Lake Arrowhead State Park offers camping, fishing, and trails in Clay County
Lake Arrowhead State Park sits on a large reservoir in Clay County and offers fishing, camping, hiking, and equestrian trails about 15 minutes south of Wichita Falls.
Hunting / TPWD
Deer and turkey hunting rules for Clay County
Clay County falls under North Zone rules for deer and turkey, with specific bag limits and antler restrictions hunters must know before heading out.
History / Settlement
Clay County was named for Henry Clay and abandoned during the Civil War
Clay County was split from Cooke County in 1857, named for Kentucky statesman Henry Clay, and had fewer than 110 residents by 1860 before settlers abandoned it during the Civil War.
Nearby
Places near Petrolia
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Next steps for Petrolia
Estimate property tax
Model school and local rates, the homestead exemption, and the appraisal cap.
Open estimator ->Clay County notes
Property tax, land, outdoors, vehicles, rules, and history for the county.
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