Madison County, Texas

6 local notes for Madison County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. East Texas / Piney Woods.

Money & Taxes

Property Tax

Two offices handle your property taxes in Madison County

The appraisal district sets your property value, and a separate tax office collects what you owe — they are two different offices with different addresses.

Homestead Exemption

Homestead exemption can lower your property tax bill

If your home is your primary residence in Madison County, you can apply for a homestead exemption that reduces the taxable value of your home.

Home & Property

Groundwater & Wells

Madison County has a groundwater district that regulates water wells

If you plan to drill a water well in Madison County, you must deal with the Mid-East Texas Groundwater Conservation District before you start.

Cars & Driving

Vehicle Registration

Madison County vehicles skip emissions testing at inspection

Cars registered in Madison County do not need an emissions test — only a standard safety inspection is required under Texas's Two Steps, One Sticker program.

Outdoors

Hunting

Deer hunting in Madison County has a local antler rule

Madison County hunters can take two legal bucks per season, but only one buck may have an inside antler spread of 13 inches or more.

History & Culture

County History

Madison County was carved from three counties in 1853

Madison County was formed in 1853 from parts of Grimes, Walker, and Leon counties, and its seat of Madisonville was named for U.S. President James Madison.