Webb County, Texas
25 local notes for Webb County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. Rio Grande Valley / Border.
See the Laredo place page ->Money & Taxes
Property Tax
Who Handles Property Taxes in Webb County
Two separate offices handle property taxes here: the appraisal district sets your home's value, and the tax assessor-collector sends the bill.
Property Tax Exemption
Lower Your Tax Bill With a Homestead Exemption
If you own and live in your home in Webb County, you can apply for a homestead exemption that reduces the taxable value of your property.
Agricultural Valuation
Ranch Land Can Be Taxed on What It Produces, Not What It's Worth
Qualifying ranch and farm land in Webb County can be appraised at its agricultural productivity value, which is usually much lower than market value.
Oil & Gas / Mineral Rights
Oil and Gas Production in Webb County
Webb County has active oil and gas production, and the Railroad Commission of Texas regulates it from its District 4 office in Corpus Christi.
Property Tax Protest
You Can Protest Your Property Value in Webb County
If you think the Webb County Appraisal District set your property value too high, you have the right to protest — but there is a deadline.
Property Tax
Nine Different Entities Tax Property in Webb County
Your property tax bill in Webb County can include charges from up to nine separate taxing units — each setting its own rate.
Home & Property
Flood Risk
Flooding Along the Rio Grande in Webb County
The Rio Grande can rise quickly in Laredo and cause flooding — check FEMA flood maps before buying property near the river.
Septic / OSSF
Septic Systems Outside City Limits in Webb County
If your home is outside the city limits of Laredo and not connected to a public sewer, you likely need a permitted on-site sewage facility (septic system).
Unincorporated Areas
Colonias: Unincorporated Communities Outside Laredo
Some communities in Webb County are outside city limits and lack basic services — knowing whether a property is in a colonia matters before you buy.
City Limits / ETJ
Laredo's City Limits and Its ETJ Extend Far Into Webb County
Laredo can regulate subdivisions up to 5 miles beyond its city limits — this affects what you can build even on unincorporated land nearby.
Weather & Climate
Webb County's Climate: Hot, Dry, and Semi-Arid
Webb County is a hot, semi-arid region with an average of about 20 inches of rain per year and summer temperatures that regularly top 100°F.
Cars & Driving
Outdoors
State Park
Lake Casa Blanca: The State Park Inside Laredo
Lake Casa Blanca International State Park is a 525-acre park on a 1,680-acre reservoir inside city limits that offers fishing, camping, hiking, and water sports.
Hunting
Deer Hunting Rules for Webb County
Webb County falls under specific TPWD deer seasons and bag limits that hunters need to know before going out.
Hunting
Dove and Turkey Seasons in Webb County
Webb County has open dove and turkey seasons — know the limits before you hunt.
Rules & Licenses
History & Culture
Border Economy
Laredo Is a Top U.S. Port of Entry for Trade
Laredo handles more international trade truck traffic than any other port on the U.S.-Mexico border, shaping the economy of all of Webb County.
History
Laredo Was Founded in 1755 Under Spanish Rule
Laredo is one of the oldest continuously occupied communities in Texas, founded under a Spanish colonial program more than 270 years ago.
History
Laredo Was the Founding Site of the Republic of the Rio Grande
In 1840, Laredo was where leaders declared the short-lived Republic of the Rio Grande, a federalist rebellion against Mexico that lasted about 10 months.
History
Webb County Was Created in 1848 After the Mexican-American War
The Texas legislature created Webb County in January 1848, naming it after a judge, after the Rio Grande became the new international boundary.
History
The Railroad Arrived in Laredo in 1881 and Changed Everything
Railroads reached Laredo in 1881, connecting the border city to national markets and launching a period of rapid economic and population growth.
Demographics
Webb County Is Overwhelmingly Hispanic
About 95% of Webb County residents are Hispanic, reflecting a deep Tejano and Mexican heritage that shapes local culture, language, and politics.
Agriculture
Ranching Is Deep in Webb County's DNA
Webb County has over 2 million acres of ranch and farm land, mostly used for cattle, goats, and horses — one of the most land-intensive ranching counties in Texas.
History
Webb County Had a Coal Mining Era
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, coal mining was a major industry in Webb County, a fact largely unknown outside the region.
History
Laredo Has Flown Seven Flags Over Its History
Laredo is sometimes called the 'City of Seven Flags' because it has been governed under seven different flags, more than any other Texas city.