Palestine, Texas is a city of 18,712 people located in Anderson County. The geography of Palestine is mostly flat plains, with some hills and valleys. The climate here is typically hot and humid in the summer months, with mild winters. The average temperature in the winter months ranges from 40-60 degrees Fahrenheit, while the summer months can reach up to 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit.
The history of Palestine dates back to the 1840s when a group of settlers from Tennessee were searching for a new home and found their way to this area. They named it after their hometown in Tennessee and began to build homes and businesses. During the Civil War, Palestine was an important Confederate supply center due to its location on the rail line between Houston and Dallas. After the war, Palestine continued to grow as a major agricultural center and railroad hub for east Texas.
Politically speaking, Palestine has been a Democratic stronghold since its founding in 1846. In recent years however, it has become more conservative as Republicans have gained power in local elections.
The economy of Palestine is mainly based on agriculture and manufacturing. A variety of crops are grown here including corn, cotton, soybeans, peanuts, wheat and hay among others. Manufacturing also plays an important role in the economy with companies such as Tyson Foods having operations here .
Education is also important part of life for many residents of Palestine as there are several public schools within the city limits that serve students from kindergarten through twelfth grade levels . There are several private schools as well including one Catholic school that serves students from pre-K through 8th grade .
Finally there are several landmarks throughout Palestine that make up part of its unique character such as Old City Park which was established by early settlers in 1846; The old Anderson County Courthouse which was built in 1895; The Texas State Railroad which has been running since 1881; And finally Fort Parker State Park which was built by settlers during the civil war era .
Population: 17,598. Estimated population in July 2020: 17,912 (+1.8% change)
Males: 8,076 (45.9%), Females: 9,522 (54.1%)
Zip codes: 75801.
Median resident age: 34.4 years
Median household income: $30,497
Median house value: $56,100
Races in Palestine:
- White Non-Hispanic (58.5%)
- Black (24.8%)
- Hispanic (14.9%)
- Other race (7.9%)
- Two or more races (1.4%)
- American Indian (0.9%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)
Ancestries: United States (13.6%), English (6.8%), German (6.3%), Irish (6.3%), Scotch-Irish (2.1%), French (1.5%).
Land area: 17.7 square miles
Population
Palestine, Texas is a small city located in Anderson County. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Palestine was 18,712 people. The racial makeup of the city was 72.7% White, 19.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 6.9% from two or more races; Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.5%. The median age of the population was 37 years old and the median household income was $35,233 per year with 21% of families living below the poverty line.
The majority of Palestine’s population is employed in manufacturing and service industries such as retail trade and health care services; there are also many small businesses in town that employ a significant portion of the population as well as providing goods and services to residents and visitors alike. The city has seen an influx of new businesses in recent years due to its strategic location between Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston making it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs looking for a place to start their business ventures or relocate existing ones from larger cities nearby. The unemployment rate in Palestine is also lower than both state and national averages at just 3%, indicating that there are plenty of job opportunities available for those seeking employment in this area as well as those already living here who are looking for better options to provide for their families’ needs.
For population 25 years and over in Palestine
- High school or higher: 74.7%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.7%
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2%
- Unemployed: 9.0%
- Mean travel time to work: 18.9 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Palestine city
- Never married: 22.5%
- Now married: 51.9%
- Separated: 3.1%
- Widowed: 10.3%
- Divorced: 12.1%
7.6% Foreign born (6.1% Latin America, 1.2% Asia).
Population change in the 1990s: -536 (-3.0%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers in Palestine:
- PALESTINE REG MED CTR (4000 SOUTH LOOP 256)
- PALESTINE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (2900 S LOOP 256)
Other hospitals/medical centers near Palestine:
- EAST TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER JACKSONVILLE (about 30 miles; JACKSONVILLE, TX)
- MOTHER FRANCES HOSPITAL JACKSONVILLE (about 30 miles; JACKSONVILLE, TX)
- EAST TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER CROCKETT (about 33 miles; CROCKETT, TX)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Palestine:
- TYLER POUNDS RGNL (about 44 miles; TYLER, TX; Abbreviation: TYR)
- EAST TEXAS RGNL (about 78 miles; LONGVIEW, TX; Abbreviation: GGG)
- EASTERWOOD FIELD (about 95 miles; COLLEGE STATION, TX; Abbreviation: CLL)
Other public-use airports nearest to Palestine:
- PALESTINE MUNI (about 5 miles; PALESTINE, TX; Abbreviation: PSN)
- ATHENS MUNI (about 30 miles; ATHENS, TX; Abbreviation: F44)
- CHEROKEE COUNTY (about 31 miles; JACKSONVILLE, TX; Abbreviation: JSO)
Colleges and Universities
College/University in Palestine:
- ANDERSON COUNTY BEAUTY COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 16; Location: 217 W OAK; Private, for-profit)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Palestine:
- TRINITY VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 33 miles; ATHENS, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,858)
- THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT TYLER (about 46 miles; TYLER, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,433)
- TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE (about 56 miles; TYLER, TX; Full-time enrollment: 5,872)
- NAVARRO COLLEGE (about 61 miles; CORSICANA, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,842)
- ANGELINA COLLEGE (about 68 miles; LUFKIN, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,773)
- KILGORE COLLEGE (about 69 miles; KILGORE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,814)
- STEPHEN F AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY (about 72 miles; NACOGDOCHES, TX; Full-time enrollment: 10,217)
Schools
Public high schools in Palestine:
- PALESTINE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 895; Location: 1600 S LOOP 256; Grades: 09 – 12)
- WESTWOOD H S (Students: 539; Location: 4524 W OAK; Grades: 09 – 12)
- LANDMARK SCHOOL (Students: 81; Location: 101 BRUSHY CREEK RD; Grades: 07 – 12)
Public primary/middle schools in Palestine:
- STORY EL (Students: 738; Location: 5300 S LOOP 256; Grades: 03 – 05)
- PALESTINE MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 526; Location: 233 BEN MILAM DR; Grades: 07 – 08)
- WESTWOOD EL (Students: 504; Location: 4524 W OAK; Grades: 03 – 06)
- WESTWOOD PRI (Students: 454; Location: 4524 W OAK; Grades: PK – 02)
- NORTHSIDE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER (Students: 432; Location: 2509 HWY 155 N; Grades: PK – 01)
- SOUTHSIDE PRI (Students: 364; Location: 201 GILLESPIE RD; Grades: 01 – 02)
- WESTWOOD J H (Students: 288; Location: 4524 W OAK; Grades: 07 – 08)
- WASHINGTON 6TH GR CTR (Students: 232; Location: 1020 W HAMLETT; Grades: 06 – 06)
- SAM HOUSTON EARLY LEARNING CTR (Students: 129; Location: 1000 E LAMAR ST; Grades: KG – KG)
Libraries
Library in Palestine:
- PALESTINE PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $608,609; Location: 1101 N CEDAR ST; 68,927 books; 3,882 audio materials; 2,733 video materials; 78 serial subscriptions)