Roads & Commuting

I-35E is the main artery through Ellis County — and it can get congested

Interstate 35E runs north-south through Ellis County and is the primary route for commuters traveling to and from the Dallas area.

Ellis County Cars & Driving

I-35E bisects Ellis County from north to south. It connects Waxahachie and Midlothian to downtown Dallas about 30 miles north. US-287 also crosses the county and connects to Fort Worth to the northwest.

Commuter traffic on I-35E can be heavy during morning and evening rush hours. Construction projects on this corridor have affected travel times in recent years. If you are buying a home in Ellis County to commute to Dallas or Fort Worth, check current TxDOT project information for I-35 before deciding where to live within the county.

Source to confirm: TSHA Handbook of Texas — Ellis County

More Ellis County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two different offices handle your property tax in Ellis County

The Ellis County Appraisal District sets your property value, but a separate Tax Assessor-Collector office sends the bill and collects the money.

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Homestead Exemption

File a homestead exemption to lower your property tax bill

Texas law lets homeowners who live in their home claim a homestead exemption that reduces the taxable value of the property.

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Ag Valuation

Farm and ranch land can be taxed on productivity, not market value

In Ellis County, qualifying farm or ranch land is taxed on what it can produce, not what it could sell for. That can cut the tax bill by a lot.

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Vehicle Registration

Ellis County vehicles need an emissions test every year

Ellis County is in the DFW area, so most gas-powered vehicles must pass an emissions test every year before the owner can renew registration.

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