Residential property taxes spike dramatically in El Paso County

In El Paso County, Texas, significant changes have occurred regarding property tax assessments for 2025. A recent analysis revealed that 39% of residential properties are assessed above their market value, indicating a troubling trend for homeowners. This comes as residential assessments increased amidst a general rise in property values by 5.8%, pushing many homeowners to face sharply higher taxation. In contrast, the increase for commercial property only stood at 1.4%, highlighting a growing disparity. Some commercial properties, particularly those valued at $5 million or more, even saw a decline in values, emphasizing the unusual nature of the residential market spikes. Further examination indicates that homes constructed between 2001 and 2020 realized the smallest increases in value at just 2.0%. However, those properties built prior to that period faced much larger assessment rises. In addition, the assessment rates have been reported to outpace actual market value trends. On the commercial side, properties built in 2021 and later saw the most dramatic value increases. For instance, commercial properties in this category jumped by 29.3% from previous assessments. With these contrasting developments, the situation for homeowners is becoming precarious. A significant number of them are facing steep increases that could lead to heightened financial burdens as property tax assessments continue to elevate. The assessment process itself appears to be misaligned with market conditions, which aggravates the potential for inflated tax bills. As this situation unfolds, many homeowners in El Paso County are beginning to express concerns over possible financial strain they could encounter due to high assessments and related taxes. Additionally, medical and office buildings have also seen increases in their assessed values, contributing further to the overall uptick in property tax assessments. On the other hand, retail properties experienced declines except for select categories, indicating varied impacts based on specific property types and construction years. Overall, while the residential market is notably climbing, the disparities between residential and commercial sectors sure raise critical questions about valuation practices and their economic implications for taxpayers.