Fort Bend Property Tax Values and Tax Protest Facts
There are few Texans that understand the importance of tax protests more than the people of Fort Bend County. One of the most highly taxed counties in America since 2000, residents of Fort Bend County know how to reduce every dollar possible. Worth an estimated $169.80 billion in 2024, the real estate in the county is only going to grow in value in the future. Protests were able to save taxpayers $212.96 million in 2024 alone, including $40.08 million for homeowners. Protect your property annually with O’Connor’s Property Tax Protection Program™ and never worry about getting whacked by outrageous taxes. There is no cost to join, and you will never be ambushed by a hidden fee or cost. You will only pay if you lower your property taxes. Enroll, relax, and save.
Total Market Value Fort Bend CountySource: Texas Comptroller, compiled by O’Connor, and not affiliated with any appraisal district.
| Billions of $ | |||||||||||
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| $ Total Market Value | 62.109 | 75.545 | 82.243 | 80.124 | 90.611 | 90.682 | 97.094 | 110.229 | 135.550 | 157.486 | 169.797 |
| Single Family | 42.348 | 50.925 | 55.648 | 58.579 | 61.423 | 64.808 | 69.187 | 74.350 | 96.157 | 112.803 | 118.686 |
| Multi-family | 1.490 | 1.819 | 1.905 | 2.060 | 2.154 | 2.337 | 2.612 | 2.775 | 3.226 | 4.947 | 5.923 |
| Commercial | 8.391 | 9.106 | 10.402 | 10.814 | 11.661 | 14.303 | 14.006 | 15.756 | 17.533 | 19.141 | 20.485 |
| All Other | 9.881 | 13.694 | 14.288 | 8.671 | 15.373 | 9.233 | 11.289 | 17.349 | 18.633 | 20.595 | 24.703 |
Texas property owners should protest annually As part of maintaining their property, like a HVAC checkup.
FBCAD Property Tax Trends
Fort Bend is one of the fastest growing areas in America but also has one of the highest property tax rates in Texas. As the hottest real estate market in south Texas, it seems that taxable values will only rise. The people of Texas can protest their taxes, netting great reductions in taxes if they are successful. O’Connor is a Houston-based firm dedicated exclusively to lowering property taxes and has been doing so for over 50 years. O’Connor is also one of the largest such firms in the United States.
FBCAD Total Market Value of Property
While King, Collin, and Denton counties are the hip destinations with skyrocketing taxable values, Fort Bend has been one of the top real estate markets since 2000. While excellent on the surface, this also made the area the target of the highest taxes in Texas. While this dubious crown was passed to King County, Fort Bend is still in the top five as far as taxes are concerned and could easily become the champion again. The taxable values remain some of the highest in Texas, with an estimated market value of $169.80 billion in 2024.
The county has long had a reputation as a residential area, and 2024 certainly proved that, as an estimated $118.69 billion in value was generated by single family homes. Homes may make up 69.9% of the estimated value, but the area is also known as one of the fastest growing commercial sectors in Texas. Commercial properties were valued at $20.49 billion, while industrial and related properties were tagged for $24.70 billion.
Property Value Reduction By Type of Appeal Source: Texas Comptroller, compiled by O’Connor, and not affiliated with any appraisal district.
| Billions of $ | |||||||||||
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| Total | 1.618 | 2.349 | 3.040 | 2.006 | 2.386 | 3.564 | 4.224 | 5.041 | 5.806 | 7.426 | 10.14 |
| Informal Appeal | 1.253 | 1.800 | 2.347 | 1.460 | 1.479 | 2.166 | 2.256 | 1.228 | 1.342 | 1.850 | 1.915 |
| Formal ARB Determination | 0.2450 | 0.4060 | 0.5660 | 0.3910 | 0.7750 | 1.2920 | 1.8090 | 3.2210 | 3.6300 | 4.5720 | 6.3940 |
| Judicial Appeal | 0.1200 | 0.1440 | 0.1280 | 0.1560 | 0.1310 | 0.1060 | 0.1600 | 0.5920 | 0.8340 | 1.0050 | 1.8320 |
Texas property owners should protest annually since Texas law requires property owners to protest to get information on their property and comparable sales in the area. This information is free and available upon request via U.S. mail (once you file a protest).
FBCAD Value Reduction by Type of Appeal
One advantage of being so high on the tax rolls for so long is that Fort Bend residents are well aware of tax protests, and they use them more than almost anywhere else in the Lone Star State. 29.6% of properties were protested in 2024, and that number is only growing. $10.41 billion in market value was protested in 2024, the most yet on the books. The value of land appealed with tax protests has increased by 526.7% in the past decade.
Like other in-demand and high-tax counties across Texas, the most potent property tax protest was the formal hearing. The second step on the protest ladder, formal hearings follow informal appeals. Formal appeals contested $6.39 billion in value, compared to $1.92 billion for informal appeals. Judicial appeals, reserved for high-dollar properties, also scored high with $.821 billion in value.
Total Property Tax Savings All Protests and AppealsSource: Texas Comptroller, compiled by O’Connor, and not affiliated with any appraisal district.
| Millions of $ | |||||||||||
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| All Property Types | 33.98 | 49.34 | 63.85 | 42.13 | 50.10 | 74.84 | 88.71 | 105.86 | 121.93 | 155.95 | 212.96 |
| Single Family | 3.68 | 6.95 | 10.42 | 13.28 | 11.74 | 12.98 | 16.74 | 16.38 | 23.64 | 33.99 | 40.08 |
| Commercial / All other | 30.30 | 42.39 | 53.43 | 28.85 | 38.36 | 61.86 | 71.97 | 89.48 | 98.29 | 121.96 | 172.88 |
Texas property owners should protest annually since Because it is the surest way to reduce property taxes.
Total Fort Bend Tax Savings by Property Type
While huge protests are certainly good, when it all comes down to brass tacks, the entire protest process is about reducing taxes. This was certainly accomplished in the county, with a record $212.96 million coming back in 2024. This total is even more impressive when compared to the historical record, as savings have quintupled in the past decade.
Fort Bend was typical in how returned taxes were distributed. $172.88 million in taxes were for commercial and related properties. While they are outnumbered by single family homes, each such property is worth much more. This also tracks with the growing business sector, which is adding more value every year. Single family homes were not left out in the cold, as they were still able to bring back an astounding $40.08 million.