Property Tax Around Lake Texoma

2025 Grayson County Tax Rates by Entity

Per the Grayson Central Appraisal District's official 2025 tax rate summary, rates per $100 of assessed valuation break down as follows across the entities most relevant to Lake Texoma buyers:

A Worked Example: Denison

A home within Denison city limits and Denison ISD combines city (0.712034), school (1.155000), county (0.3051), and county college (0.14598) rates for a total of roughly 2.318 per $100 of assessed valuation. On a $400,000 home, that translates to roughly $9,272 in annual property tax before any exemptions.

Gordonville Carries No City Tax at All

Gordonville, an unincorporated community in northwest Grayson County, has no municipal government and therefore no city property tax, leaving only county, school district, and college rates. This is a genuinely meaningful cost advantage for buyers specifically prioritizing lower ongoing property tax over municipal services like city police or water utilities.

Bells, Whitesboro, Gunter, and Van Alstyne Serve the Outer Ring

Buyers looking at properties further from the immediate shoreline, particularly toward the western and southern edges of the broader Lake Texoma market, may fall within Bells ISD, Whitesboro ISD, Gunter ISD, or Van Alstyne ISD instead of the three primary lakefront districts. Each of these carries its own distinct rate above 1.13 per $100 valuation, generally higher than Pottsboro ISD's rate, a genuinely worthwhile comparison for buyers weighing total cost across the wider county.

Confirm Which School District Actually Serves a Specific Address

Because Denison ISD, Sherman ISD, Pottsboro ISD, Bells ISD, Whitesboro ISD, Gunter ISD, and Van Alstyne ISD all serve different parts of the broader Lake Texoma area, and boundaries don't always align neatly with a specific town's name, confirm the exact district serving any address directly with Grayson Central Appraisal District before relying on a listing's stated school district.

Homestead Exemptions Apply the Same as Anywhere Else in Texas

Texas's standard homestead exemption, along with the over-65 and disability exemptions and school-tax freeze, apply the same way here as anywhere else in the state. Confirm current exemption amounts and filing deadlines directly with Grayson Central Appraisal District, since these figures can change from year to year at the state legislative level.

Rates Skew Slightly Lower Than Rapidly Growing Austin-Area Counties

Compared with Travis County or the Highland Lakes counties covered elsewhere on this site, Grayson County's combined rates run broadly comparable, though buyers should still request a direct rate comparison for their specific target communities rather than assuming Texoma is automatically cheaper across every entity.

Watch for Rate Changes as the Resort Developments Come Online

As Preston Harbor and the broader resort-driven development around Lake Texoma bring substantial new tax base online over the coming years, city and school district rates in the immediate area could shift meaningfully. Confirm current rates directly each tax year rather than relying on older published figures for this genuinely fast-changing part of the county over the next several years.

Compare a Sherman Example Against the Denison Figures Above

A comparable home within Sherman city limits and Sherman ISD combines city (0.508000), school (1.234200), county (0.3051), and county college (0.14598) rates for a total of roughly 2.193 per $100 of assessed valuation, slightly lower than the Denison combination above despite Sherman ISD's higher individual school rate, since Sherman's city rate runs meaningfully lower than Denison's.

Pottsboro Sits Between the Two on Combined Rate

A home within Pottsboro city limits and Pottsboro ISD combines city (0.544401), school (0.934400), county (0.3051), and county college (0.14598) rates for a total of roughly 1.930 per $100 of assessed valuation, genuinely lower than either the Denison or Sherman combination, reflecting Pottsboro ISD's comparatively lower school tax rate among these three cities.

Agricultural Valuation Can Meaningfully Lower Rural Parcel Taxes

Rural parcels around Lake Texoma actively used for qualifying agricultural purposes may be eligible for agricultural or wildlife management valuation, which can substantially reduce the taxable value compared with standard market valuation. Confirm current qualification requirements directly with Grayson Central Appraisal District before assuming a rural parcel automatically qualifies for this treatment.

Cross-Border Buyers Should Understand the Two Systems Differ Entirely

Because Lake Texoma straddles the Texas-Oklahoma line, buyers considering a property on the Oklahoma side should understand that state's property tax system, homestead rules, and assessment practices operate under an entirely different framework than the Texas figures detailed on this page, which apply only to the Grayson and Cooke county side of the reservoir.

What This Means for Your Search

Property tax around Lake Texoma varies meaningfully by which specific city and school district serve an address, with Gordonville's unincorporated status offering a genuine cost advantage for buyers prioritizing lower ongoing taxes. Confirm exact combined rates directly with Grayson Central Appraisal District for any specific property before finalizing your search.

Request a Tax Certificate Before Closing

As with any Texas property purchase, request a current property tax certificate from Grayson Central Appraisal District before closing, confirming there are no outstanding tax liens or unpaid special assessments tied to the specific parcel, a routine but genuinely important step buyers shouldn't skip regardless of which community they're purchasing in.