Port Isabel, Texas
Port Isabel is a small coastal city in Cameron County at the southern tip of Texas, about 19 miles northeast of Brownsville on the Laguna Madre. It lies at the mainland end of the causeway to South Padre Island and is known for its shrimping and commercial fishing fleet and its historic lighthouse overlooking the bay. The town sits on flat coastal land between the lagoon and the Gulf in the Rio Grande Valley.
Property here runs through the Cameron 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 Cameron County notes below cover the practical details, with the official county directory for the appraisal district and tax office.
Cameron County notes
What to know around Port Isabel
Property Tax Basics
Two Offices Handle Your Property Tax in Cameron County
The Cameron Appraisal District sets your home's value; the Cameron County Tax Office sends the bill and collects the money.
Homestead Exemption
How to Apply for a Homestead Exemption in Cameron County
If you own and live in your home, you can apply for a homestead exemption that lowers your taxable value through the Cameron Appraisal District in San Benito.
Appraisal Protest
How to Protest Your Property Value in Cameron County
If you think your appraised value is too high, you can protest it, but you must act quickly after your notice arrives.
Ag Valuation
Agricultural Land Gets a Lower Tax Value in Cameron County
Farm and ranch land can be taxed on what it produces, not what it would sell for, which usually means a much lower tax bill.
Windstorm Insurance
Cameron County Homes May Need Special Windstorm Insurance
Cameron County is in Texas's coastal windstorm zone, so homeowners may need separate windstorm and hail coverage.
Flood Risk
Much of Cameron County Is in a FEMA Flood Zone
Low elevation and proximity to the Gulf mean large parts of Cameron County carry significant flood risk, so check the FEMA map before you buy.
Nearby
Places near Port Isabel
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Willacy County
4 local notes · Rio Grande Valley / Border
Hidalgo County
52 local notes · Rio Grande Valley / Border
Kenedy County
6 local notes · Rio Grande Valley / Border
Brooks County
7 local notes · Rio Grande Valley / Border
Starr County
22 local notes · Rio Grande Valley / Border
Kleberg County
5 local notes · Gulf Coast / Coastal Bend
Next steps for Port Isabel
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Model school and local rates, the homestead exemption, and the appraisal cap.
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