Rio Grande City, Texas
Rio Grande City is the county seat of Starr County, set on the north bank of the Rio Grande about 37 miles northwest of McAllen in the western Rio Grande Valley. One of the older settlements of South Texas, it grew in the 19th century as a river port and trading center at the head of steamboat navigation on the Rio Grande, with Fort Ringgold established just beside it. The town preserves a historic downtown district whose brick and cast-iron architecture reflects its border trade heritage, and it remains an international port of entry connected by bridge across the river.
Property here runs through the Starr 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 Starr County notes below cover the practical details, with the official county directory for the appraisal district and tax office.
Starr County notes
What to know around Rio Grande City
Property Tax
Who handles property taxes in Starr County
Two separate offices handle property taxes here. One sets your value, the other collects the bill.
Homestead Exemption
How the homestead exemption works in Starr County
If your home here is your main residence, a Texas homestead exemption can lower the taxable value — and Starr County has boosted its local exemption for seniors and disabled residents.
Agricultural Valuation
Ag valuation can cut your property tax bill on rural land
Farm and ranch land in Starr County can be taxed on what it produces, not what it would sell for, and that can mean a much lower tax bill.
Mineral Rights / Oil & Gas
Oil and gas have shaped Starr County for nearly a century
Starr County land can carry separate surface and mineral estates, so a deed review and the RRC map answer two different questions.
Groundwater / Water Wells
Starr County has its own groundwater district
The Starr County Groundwater Conservation District manages underground water use, so contact them before you drill a well.
Hunting
Starr County has a wide variety of hunting seasons
Around Rio Grande City, Starr County hunters work from South Zone rules for deer, turkey, dove, ducks, javelina, chachalaca, and alligator.
Nearby
Places near Rio Grande City
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Hidalgo County
52 local notes · Rio Grande Valley / Border
Jim Hogg County
6 local notes · Rio Grande Valley / Border
Zapata County
7 local notes · Rio Grande Valley / Border
Brooks County
7 local notes · Rio Grande Valley / Border
Willacy County
4 local notes · Rio Grande Valley / Border
Kenedy County
6 local notes · Rio Grande Valley / Border
Next steps for Rio Grande City
Estimate property tax
Model school and local rates, the homestead exemption, and the appraisal cap.
Open estimator ->Starr County notes
Property tax, land, outdoors, vehicles, rules, and history for the county.
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