Dallas County's 2026 property appraisal roll is now official, and it comes with a clear message for taxpayers and local officials alike: values are up across much of the county. The biggest jumps in sheer dollars are inside the city of Dallas, while the steepest percentage spikes are showing up in smaller southeast cities like Wilmer, Hutchins and Lancaster.
The Dallas Central Appraisal District certified the 2026 roll last Friday, and posted the certified appraisal files and datasets this week. Those figures are the official counts taxing units will lean on as they set their property tax rates. The district noted that its system was briefly taken offline while certification wrapped up, and that the certified data files carry a July 24, 2026 timestamp.
Where The New Value Is Piling Up
Countywide, taxable value climbed nearly 5.8% from 2025 to 2026, pushed higher by new residential and commercial construction. According to The Dallas Morning News, the city of Dallas saw its taxable base rise from roughly $210 billion to about $222 billion. Wilmer’s taxable value jumped from about $3.15 billion to $3.79 billion, a roughly 20% gain. The same report points out that some special districts logged eye-popping percentage increases of their own, including one municipal utility district that surged from about $37.6 million to $167 million.
How The Certified Roll Drives Tax Rates
The certified roll is the starting point local governments use to calculate their no-new-revenue and voter-approval tax rates, and they are required to adopt final rates after certification comes in. Dallas County says it plans to post estimated-rate worksheets and preliminary bill impacts after Aug. 5, while the Texas Comptroller lays out the formulas and deadlines that govern those calculations.
Protests, Hearings And What Homeowners Can Still Do
Property owners who are not happy with their appraisals are not out of options yet. Online tools from the Dallas Central Appraisal District let owners review their values and file protests. The appraisal review board is handling a heavy caseload, and hearings may continue into September, according to the district. At the same time, The Dallas Morning News reports that remaining protests account for under 3.2% of the certified roll, a sign that most values are now locked in for rate-setting.
Over the next month, city councils, school boards and special districts will decide how much of that new value to turn into additional tax revenue. Homeowners will then see whether a growing tax base translates into higher bills or slightly lower rates that keep payments steadier. The certified roll effectively maps where development is building up Dallas County’s tax base and which communities are likely to sit at the center of budget debates this fall.
