Palestine, Texas

{{about|the city in Texas|the Texas reservoir|Lake Palestine}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Palestine, Texas
| official_name      = City of Palestine
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| image_skyline      = Palestine,_Texas_aerial_view,_28_Dec_2020.png
| imagesize          = 250px
| image_caption      = Downtown Palestine
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = <!-- Maps -->
| nickname           = 
| motto              = <!-- Images -->
| image_map          = TXMap-doton-Palestine.PNG
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Palestine, Texas
| image_map1         = Anderson_Palestine.svg
| mapsize1           = 250px
| map_caption1       = <!-- Location -->
| coordinates        = {{coord|31|45|29|N|95|38|19|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{Flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Texas|County]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{Flag|Texas}}
| subdivision_name2  = [[Anderson County, Texas|Anderson]]

<!-- Government -->| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 1846

<!-- Area -->| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]
| leader_title       = [[City council]]
| leader_name        = [[Mayor]] Mitchell Jordan

Sean Conner (District 1)

Ava Harmon (District 2)

Vickey Chivers (District 3)

Kenneth Davidson (District 4)

Krissy Clark (District 5)

Christopher Gibbs (District 6)
| leader_title1      = [[City manager]]
| leader_name1       = Teresa Herrera
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_48.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 50.83
| area_total_sq_mi   = 19.63
| area_land_km2      = 50.30
| area_land_sq_mi    = 19.42
| area_water_km2     = 0.53
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.20

<!-- Population -->| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 147
| elevation_ft       = 482
| population_total   = 18,544
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_density_km2 = 352.46
| population_density_sq_mi = 912.88

<!-- General information -->| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code        = 75800-75899
| area_code          = [[Area code 903|903]]
| website            = {{URL|www.cityofpalestinetx.com}}
| footnotes          = 
| timezone           = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset         = -6
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -5
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 48-54708<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 1364714<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref>
| population_est     = 
}}

'''Palestine''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|æ|l|ᵻ|s|t|iː|n}} {{respell|PAL|ih|steen}}) is a city in and the [[County seat|seat]] of [[Anderson County, Texas|Anderson County]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref> It was named after [[Palestine, Illinois]], by preacher [[Daniel Parker (Baptist)|Daniel Parker]], who had migrated from that town.<ref>Kelsey, Mavis P. and Dyal, Donald H. ''The Courthouses of Texas'' (2nd ed.). Texas A&M University Press, College Station, 2000, p31.</ref> It is also contested that Micham Main named Palestine after his hometown, also Palestine, Illinois, when he and his family arrived here along with the Parker family and several others.

The city had a [[2020 United States census|2020 U.S. census]] population of 18,544, making it the sixth-largest incorporated municipality in [[Northeast Texas]] by population.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Palestine city, Texas Palestine has many war memorial parks including a recently built Confederate Heroes Park in Downtown.|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/palestinecitytexas/PST045221 |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=U.S. Census Bureau |language=en}}</ref> Palestine is a relatively small city located in the [[Piney Woods]], equidistant from the major cities of [[Dallas]], [[Houston]], and [[Shreveport, Louisiana]].
[[File:Anderson County Courthouse at dusk.jpg|alt=Courthouse in Palestine, Texas|thumb|Courthouse in Palestine, Texas]]
It is notable for its natural environment, and has a notable [[Cornus (genus)|dogwood]] blooming season. It has 23 historical sites on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], and was the western terminus of the historic [[Texas State Railroad]]. Today this steam-and-diesel railroad museum operates tourist trains between Palestine and [[Rusk, Texas|Rusk]].

==History==
Indigenous groups such as the [[Coushatta]] Tribe occupied this area for thousands of years before European encounter. During the years of Spanish and Mexican control of major parts of the Southwest, what became East Texas was lightly settled by Europeans.

===Founding===
A trading post was established by Anglo Americans here about 1843, and some settlers gathered around it.<ref>{{cite book|title=A Memorial and Biographical History of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon Counties, Texas|date=1893|publisher=Lewis Publishing Company|location=Chicago|page=262|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth46827/m1/268/sizes/l/|access-date=28 September 2014}}</ref> In 1846, the Texas Legislature created Palestine to serve as a seat for the newly established Anderson County. James R. Fulton, Johnston Shelton, and William Bigelow were hired by the first Anderson County commissioners to survey the surrounding land and lay out a town site. This consisted of a central courthouse square and the surrounding 24 blocks.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth11916/ | title=Original Platmap of the City of Palestine, TX | website=Portal to Texas History | access-date=August 25, 2022}}</ref>

The city was named after [[Palestine, Illinois]], as suggested by Micham Main and or Daniel Parker, a minister of Pilgrim Church who had migrated with the Main family and numerous other settlers from that town.<ref name=courthouses>{{cite book | title=The Courthouses of Texas | last1=Kelsey | first1=Mavis P. Sr. | last2=Dyal | first2=Donald H. | publisher=Texas A&M University Press | place=College Station | isbn=0-89096-546-3 | page=31 | year=1993}}</ref>

By 1858, Palestine had grown to a population of 2000. An 1861 state almanac showed that the city was connected to the rest of Texas via a tri-weekly stagecoach that served Huntsville, Crockett, and Nacogdoches.<ref>{{cite book| title=The Texas Almanac for 1861 |year=1860 | place=Galveston, TX | url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth123767/m1/292/?q=palestine | access-date=August 25, 2022 | publisher=University of North Texas Libraries | work=The Portal to Texas History | page=292}}</ref> In 1861 a joint resolution called for the construction of the "Metropolitan Railroad" from Texarkana to Austin, passing through Palestine, Henderson, and Fairfield.<ref>{{cite book| title=The Texas Almanac for 1861 |year=1860 | location=Galveston, Texas | url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth123767/m1/118/?q=palestine | access-date=August 25, 2022 | website=The Portal to Texas History | page=118}}</ref> These plans were interrupted when the [[American Civil War]] broke out.

In the postwar period, during the [[Reconstruction era]], the timber trade and town growth were stimulated in the 1870s by the construction of a railroad through here.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isjl.org/history/archive/tx/palenstine.html|title=Palestine, Texas|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616174754/http://www.isjl.org/history/archive/tx/palenstine.html|archive-date=2012-06-16}}</ref> The city had a population of more than 10,000 by 1898.<ref>{{cite book|title=Palestine City Directory, 1898-1899|date=1898|publisher=Hensley-Arnold Co|page=18|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth39139/m1/18/}}</ref>

===Railroad===
[[File:O. W. Gray & Son Palestine, Texas ca. 1885 UTA.jpg|thumb|Map of Palestine, circa 1885|left]]

The International Railroad and the Houston and Great Northern Railroad first connected Palestine to the city of [[Hearne, Texas|Hearne]] in 1872.<ref>{{cite book | title=The Texas Almanac for 1872, and Emigrant's Guide to Texas | year=1872 | url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth123777/ | access-date=August 26, 2022 |  work=The Portal to Texas History}}</ref> Later that year it was connected northeast to [[Longview, Texas|Longview]]. The railroad merged in 1873 to become the [[International–Great Northern Railroad|International and Great Northern Railroad]] (IGN).

The IGN later became part of the [[Missouri Pacific Railroad]], then ultimately [[Union Pacific Railroad]]. In 1875, IGN president H.M. Hoxie moved to Palestine and built the first Victorian mansion there. Successful merchant owners and railroad executives built other elaborate homes along South Sycamore Street.

The IGN built a major depot in 1892 and a modern passenger coach shop in 1902, making Palestine an important locomotive and coach location. These shops continued to operate until 1954. At that time, the present facility was built, which is exclusively for freight-car repair.

Today, the Palestine Car Shop is one of only two car shops on the Union Pacific Railroad that perform major modifications and repairs to freight cars. The Palestine UP workforce has more than 100 employees.<ref name="Union Pacific Railroad History: Train Towns">{{cite web|url= http://up150.com/towns/Palestine/TX|title= About The Union Pacific Railroad|access-date= September 2, 2016|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160327163026/http://up150.com/towns/Palestine/TX|archive-date= March 27, 2016}}</ref>

After the state completed the Rusk Penitentiary near the city of Rusk, the state leased [[convict labor]] to the railroad as workers. The railroad originally transported raw materials to the [[iron]] [[smelter]] located at the Rusk Penitentiary. In 1906, the line reached Maydelle, and by 1909, the line was completed when it reached Palestine.

Regularly scheduled train service ceased in 1921. The line was leased to various railroad companies until 1969, when they abandoned it during national restructuring of the industry. The [[Texas Legislature]] adapted the railroad as a state park in 1972, to be devoted to operating trains that showed some of the state's railroad history.

The Texas State Railroad is a [[state park]] that allows visitors to ride trains pulled by diesel and [[steam locomotive]]s between the park's [[Victorian architecture|Victorian-style]] [[train station|depot]]s and through the [[forest]]s of [[East Texas]]. This short railroad line dates to 1883.

===Modern era===
In 1914, the county's fifth courthouse was completed. It is still in use. One of the many historical sites is [[Sacred Heart Catholic Church and School|Sacred Heart Catholic Church]], which was designed by [[Nicholas J. Clayton]].

In 1928, oil was discovered at Boggy Creek, east of Palestine. The production of oil resources added to and diversified the town's economy. Palestine became a center for oil-well servicing and supplies in support of other producing fields found later elsewhere in Anderson County.<ref name="Texas State Historical Association - About Palestine">{{cite web|url= https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hep01|title=Texas State Historical Association |access-date= September 16, 2016}}</ref>

Construction of the earth-filled Blackburn Crossing Dam on the [[Upper Neches River]], creating Lake Palestine as a reliable source of water, was begun in 1960, and completed in 1962. A municipal water authority manages this resource. The dam was enlarged from 1969 to 1972 to 75 feet high, and 5,720 feet long.<ref name="Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority - About Blackburn Dam">{{cite web|url= http://www.unrmwa.org/aboutus/blackburndam.html|title= Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority|access-date= September 16, 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161009020959/http://www.unrmwa.org/aboutus/blackburndam.html|archive-date= 2016-10-09|url-status= dead}}</ref>

About 40% of the content from the 2003 [[Space Shuttle Columbia disaster]] was recovered, seven astronauts were killed in the accident.<ref>{{cite magazine  |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]
   |url=https://www.wired.com/2008/10/dairy-survived
   |title=Diary Survived Shuttle Accident, Goes On Display
   |quote=cardboard-covered, three-ring bound .. found wet and crumpled .. field .. Palestine, Texas.
   |author=Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides  |date=October 2008}}</ref> Debris from ''Columbia'' was found in and outside Palestine and other East Texas towns.<ref>{{cite news  |newspaper=LATimes.com [[Los Angeles Times]]
   |title=Pride Turns to Grief and Disbelief in Israel
   |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-feb-02-na-israel2-story.html
   |date=February 2, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.universetoday.com/19198/astronaut-diary-survives-columbia-accident/|title=Astronaut Diary Survives Columbia Accident |date=6 October 2008|publisher= Universe Today}}</ref> Palestine's [[NASA]] [[Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility]] (renamed in honor of the shuttle crew), has flown 1,700 high-altitude balloons for universities and research agencies.

On November 15, 2015, a [[Gun violence in the United States|mass shooting]] took place at a campsite several miles northwest of Palestine. Six people were killed by an intoxicated neighbor who was upset about losing his family's land. The shooter was charged with capital murder.<ref>{{cite web
   |author=KLTV Digital Media Staff
   |url=http://www.kltv.com/story/30528560/sheriff-six-killed-in-campsite-homicide-suspect-charged
   |title=Sheriff, six killed in campsite homicide, suspect charged
   |website=KLTV ABC|date=November 16, 2015
 }}</ref> He was convicted and sentenced to death by a [[Brazos County, Texas|Brazos County]] jury on November 15, 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/man-convicted-of-killing-6-in-texas-gets-death-penalty|title=Man convicted of killing 6 in Texas gets death penalty|work=Associated Press|agency=KEYE-TV}}</ref>

==Geography==

Palestine is located near the center of Anderson County at {{coord|31|45|29|N|95|38|19|W|type:city}} (31.757925, –95.638473).<ref name="yo wassupGR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> Several numbered highways converge on the city, including U.S. Highways [[U.S. Route 79 in Texas|79]], [[U.S. Route 84 in Texas|84]], and [[U.S. Route 287 in Texas|287]], plus Texas State highways [[Texas State Highway 19|19]] and [[Texas State Highway 155|155]]. Dallas is {{convert|110|mi}} to the northwest, and Houston is {{convert|150|mi}} to the south. [[Tyler, Texas|Tyler]] is {{convert|47|mi}} to the northeast.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|50.7|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|50.2|km2|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|0.5|km2|order=flip}}, or 1.06%, is covered by water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web |title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Palestine city, Texas |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US4854708 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212204240/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US4854708 |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |access-date=August 8, 2013 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder}}</ref>

===Lake Palestine===
[[Lake Palestine]] is a freshwater lake created in 1962 by the construction of the Blackburn Crossing [[dam]] on the Neches River. A 25,600-acre lake with a total length of 18 miles, 135 miles of shoreline and an average depth of 16.25&nbsp;ft, it offers an array of freshwater fish species including [[bass (fish)|bass]], [[crappie]], and [[catfish]]. The Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority owns and operates Lake Palestine.

The city of Palestine has a water contract for 25 million gallons of water per day. It is served by a channel dam, 13 miles of pipeline, and a [[water treatment]] plant which the city operates for water coming into the city.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.unrmwa.org/aboutus/facts.html |title= Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority - About Us: Lake Palestine |access-date= 2 September 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160912012159/http://www.unrmwa.org/aboutus/facts.html |archive-date= 2016-09-12 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

===Climate===
The average warmest month is July; the highest recorded temperature was 114&nbsp;°F in 1954. On average, the coolest month is January, and the lowest recorded temperature was –6&nbsp;°F in 2021. The maximum average precipitation occurs in October.

{{Weather box
 | width       = auto
 | collapsed   = yes
 | single line = yes
 | location    = Palestine, Texas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1984–present)
 | Jan record high F  = 82
 | Feb record high F  = 92
 | Mar record high F  = 90
 | Apr record high F  = 92
 | May record high F  = 99
 | Jun record high F  = 103
 | Jul record high F  = 107
 | Aug record high F  = 107
 | Sep record high F  = 109
 | Oct record high F  = 96
 | Nov record high F  = 88
 | Dec record high F  = 84
 | year record high F = 
 | Jan high F = 58.9
 | Feb high F = 62.7
 | Mar high F = 70.1
 | Apr high F = 76.9
 | May high F = 83.6
 | Jun high F = 89.9
 | Jul high F = 93.9
 | Aug high F = 94.7
 | Sep high F = 89.0
 | Oct high F = 79.9
 | Nov high F = 68.1
 | Dec high F = 60.4
 | year high F = 77.3
 | Jan mean F = 47.0
 | Feb mean F = 50.8
 | Mar mean F = 57.7
 | Apr mean F = 64.7
 | May mean F = 72.8
 | Jun mean F = 79.6
 | Jul mean F = 83.1
 | Aug mean F = 83.0
 | Sep mean F = 76.9
 | Oct mean F = 67.1
 | Nov mean F = 55.8
 | Dec mean F = 48.6
 | year mean F = 65.6
 | Jan low F = 35.2
 | Feb low F = 38.9
 | Mar low F = 45.3
 | Apr low F = 52.5
 | May low F = 62.1
 | Jun low F = 69.3
 | Jul low F = 72.3
 | Aug low F = 71.3
 | Sep low F = 64.8
 | Oct low F = 54.2
 | Nov low F = 43.6
 | Dec low F = 36.8
 | year low F = 53.9
 | Jan record low F  = 9
 | Feb record low F  = 0
 | Mar record low F  = 16
 | Apr record low F  = 28
 | May record low F  = 37
 | Jun record low F  = 48
 | Jul record low F  = 58
 | Aug record low F  = 53
 | Sep record low F  = 40
 | Oct record low F  = 27
 | Nov record low F  = 18
 | Dec record low F  = -1
 | year record low F = 
 | precipitation colour   = green
 | Jan precipitation inch = 4.05
 | Feb precipitation inch = 3.87
 | Mar precipitation inch = 4.11
 | Apr precipitation inch = 4.13
 | May precipitation inch = 4.32
 | Jun precipitation inch = 4.50
 | Jul precipitation inch = 2.57
 | Aug precipitation inch = 3.66
 | Sep precipitation inch = 3.31
 | Oct precipitation inch = 4.23
 | Nov precipitation inch = 3.85
 | Dec precipitation inch = 4.20
 | year precipitation inch = 46.80
 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
 | Jan precipitation days  = 9.9
 | Feb precipitation days  = 10.0
 | Mar precipitation days  = 10.2
 | Apr precipitation days  = 8.8
 | May precipitation days  = 9.3
 | Jun precipitation days  = 8.5
 | Jul precipitation days  = 6.6
 | Aug precipitation days  = 6.1
 | Sep precipitation days  = 7.5
 | Oct precipitation days  = 7.1
 | Nov precipitation days  = 9.2
 | Dec precipitation days  = 9.6
 | year precipitation days = 102.8
 | Jan snow inch = 0.0
 | Feb snow inch = 0.1
 | Mar snow inch = 0.0
 | Apr snow inch = 0.0
 | May snow inch = 0.0
 | Jun snow inch = 0.0
 | Jul snow inch = 0.0
 | Aug snow inch = 0.0
 | Sep snow inch = 0.0
 | Oct snow inch = 0.0
 | Nov snow inch = 0.0
 | Dec snow inch = 0.0
 | year snow inch = 0.1
 | unit snow days = 0.1 in
 | Jan snow days  = 0.0
 | Feb snow days  = 0.1
 | Mar snow days  = 0.0
 | Apr snow days  = 0.0
 | May snow days  = 0.0
 | Jun snow days  = 0.0
 | Jul snow days  = 0.0
 | Aug snow days  = 0.0
 | Sep snow days  = 0.0
 | Oct snow days  = 0.0
 | Nov snow days  = 0.0
 | Dec snow days  = 0.0
 | year snow days = 0.1
 | source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=fwd
|title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 10, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00093914&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 10, 2023}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 2000
|1860= 1938
|1870= 2311
|1880= 2997
|1890= 5838
|1900= 8297
|1910= 10482
|1920= 11039
|1930= 11445
|1940= 12144
|1950= 12503
|1960= 13974
|1970= 14525
|1980= 15948
|1990= 18042
|2000= 17598
|2010= 18712
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
|2020=18544}}

At the [[1850 United States census]], Palestine had a population of 2,000; a decade later, its population declined to 1,938, yet has since increased in population since to a historic 18,712 at the [[2010 United States census|2010 U.S. census]]. As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 18,544 people, 6,560 households, and 4,479 families residing in the city.<ref name=":1" />

{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Palestine racial composition as of 2020'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4854708&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><br /> (NH = Non-Hispanic){{efn|Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.<ref>https://www.census.gov/ {{nonspecific|date=August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=About the Hispanic Population and its Origin |url=https://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html |website=www.census.gov |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref>}}
!Race
!Number
!Percentage
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|8,450
|45.56%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|4,439
|23.93%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|69
|0.37%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|166
|0.9%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|6
|0.03%
|-
|Some Other Race (NH)
|56
|0.3%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|598
|3.22%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|4,760
|25.67%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''18,544'''
|
|}
As the city's population has grown despite interval declines from 1990 to 2020, its racial and ethnic makeup continues to be dominated by [[Non-Hispanic whites|non-Hispanic or non-Latino whites]], and [[African Americans|Black or African Americans]] according to official census records.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=2020 Race and Population Totals |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4854708&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1 |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref> According to the 2020 [[American Community Survey]]'s 5-year estimates program, roughly 47.6% of the population was non-Hispanic white, and 26.9% Black or African American. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanics and Latino Americans]] of any race made up 22.2% of the population, and residents from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]] were 2.6%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 ACS 5-Year Demographic and Housing Estimates |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4854708&tid=ACSDP5Y2020.DP05 |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref> The official census tabulation and census estimates reflect continued diversification within the United States;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frey |first=William H. |date=2020-07-01 |title=The nation is diversifying even faster than predicted, according to new census data |url=https://www.brookings.edu/research/new-census-data-shows-the-nation-is-diversifying-even-faster-than-predicted/ |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=Brookings |language=en-US}}</ref> in 2000,<ref name="GR2" /> the racial and ethnic makeup was 64.60% [[White Americans|White]], 24.77% African American, 0.49% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.79% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.07% [[Pacific Islander]], 7.90% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latino Americans of any race were 14.88% of the population.

There was an estimated 6,560 households in Palestine, with the average household size at 2.68; according to 2020 census estimates, there were 4,479 families and the average family size was 3.32. Of the households and families comprising the city's population, 57.9% of housing units were owner-occupied and 42.1% were renter-occupied units.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 ACS 5-Year Households and Families Estimates |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=households&g=1600000US4854708&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101 |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref> In 2000, there were 6,641 households; 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 18.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were not families. About 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.13.

At the [[2000 United States census|2000 U.S. census]], the median income for a household in the city was $30,497, and for a family was $36,806. Males had a median income of $28,331 versus $20,662 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $15,514. About 16.6% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 27.7% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over. Since the 2020 census, the median household income increased to $40,684 and households paid a median of $817 a month.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 ACS 5-Year Financial Characteristics Estimates |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=income&g=1600000US4854708&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S2503 |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

==Economy==
Typical of many rural American communities, Palestine's economy is stimulated by small businesses, and local chains from national and international retailer. The largest employer is the [[Texas Department of Criminal Justice]], which employs more than 3,900. Other significant employers include a thriving medical and healthcare sector that tends to the large population of retirees.

==Government==
[[File:Anderson courthouse tx 2010.jpg|thumb|The Anderson County Courthouse in Palestine was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1988 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 28, 1992.]]

===Local government===
According to the city's 2016 audited Annual Financial Report, the city's general fund had $13.1 million in revenues, $14.6 million in expenditures, $3.1 million in total assets, $0.4 million in total liabilities, and $6.7 million in cash in investments across all funds.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.cityofpalestinetx.com/ | title=City of Palestine 2016 Audit | access-date=August 26, 2022 | publisher=City of Palestine}}</ref> In addition to the city's general fund, the water treatment plant provides potable water to residents. It operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, treating and pumping an average of 3 million gallons of water per day between Lake Palestine and city residents.  <!-- The plant treats an average of 2.5 million gallons of wastewater per day. -->  The water-distribution system employs 26 lift stations and about 275 miles of water lines; wastewater involves roughly 250 miles of sanitary sewer lines.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofpalestinetx.com/default.aspx?name=utilities.home |title=City of Palestine - Palestine Utilities|access-date=  2 September 2016}}</ref>

The current Anderson County Courthouse in Palestine is the fourth building to serve this purpose. C. H. Page and Brothers designed this brick Renaissance Revival brick courthouse, which opened in 1914. Located in downtown Palestine between Fannin and Dechard streets, it was remodeled in the 1980s.<ref name=courthouses/>

===State government===
Palestine is represented in the [[Texas Senate]] by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Robert Nichols (Texas politician)|Robert Nichols]], District 3, and in the [[Texas House of Representatives]] by Republican [[Cody Harris (Texas politician)|Cody Harris]], District 8.

===National government===

At the national level, the two U.S. senators from Texas are Republicans [[John Cornyn]] and [[Ted Cruz]]; Palestine is part of Texas' US Congressional 5th District, currently represented by Republican [[Lance Gooden]].

== Education ==

=== Public school districts ===

[[File:Palestine August 2017 53 (Palestine High School).jpg|thumb|[[Palestine High School (Texas)|Palestine High School]]]]

With almost 3,500 students, the [[Palestine Independent School District]] is the largest school district in Palestine.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://deleon.tea.state.tx.us/SDL/Forms/txtSearch.aspx |title=School District Locator : Accessible Version<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2006-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210175557/http://deleon.tea.state.tx.us/SDL/Forms/txtSearch.aspx |archive-date=2006-12-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The district comprises:
* [[Palestine High School (Texas)|Palestine High School]], grades 9–12
* Palestine Junior High, grades 7–8
* A. M. Story Elementary, grades 4–6
* Southside Primary, grades 2–3
* Northside Early Childhood Center, Pre-K–1

Located on the western edge of the city, the [[Westwood Independent School District]] is home to around 1,700 students.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://deleon.tea.state.tx.us/SDL/Forms/txtSearch.aspx |title=School District Locator : Accessible Version<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2006-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210175557/http://deleon.tea.state.tx.us/SDL/Forms/txtSearch.aspx |archive-date=2006-12-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It consists of a primary, elementary, junior=high, and high-school campuses.

Westwood Independent School District
* Westwood High School, grades 9–12
* Westwood Junior High, grades 7–8
* Westwood Elementary, grades 3–6
* Westwood Primary, grades K–2

=== Charter schools ===

University Academy, a charter school operated by the [[University of Texas at Tyler]], began in 2012 with grades 3–6, expanding upward to grades 7–12 at the rate of one grade per year. In March 2018, the school had 188 students enrolled, and planned to grow to 600 students. On March 19, 2018, the university announced it would be upgrading the University Academy school building at a cost of $650,000.

A small portion of remote area of the city is also within the [[Elkhart ISD]].

=== Colleges and universities ===

[[Trinity Valley Community College]] operates TVCC-Palestine just north of the city limits at the intersection of [[US 287 (TX)|US 287]] and [[State Highway 19 (Texas)|State Highway 19]]. In addition to offering academic transfer courses, the Palestine campus offers vocational-technical programs in vocational nursing, cosmetology, mid-management, computer science, criminal justice, business and office technology, fire science, legal assistant, emergency medical technician, and paramedic programs, and also trains correctional officers for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Continuing education and adult education courses are also offered.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvcc.edu/campus/palestine/default.aspx|title=Trinity Valley Community College Homepage|website=www.tvcc.edu|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117204522/http://www.tvcc.edu/campus/palestine/default.aspx|archive-date=2008-01-17}}</ref>

The University of Texas at Tyler also operates a campus in the city. A new, $9.6 million, {{convert|50|acre|m2|adj=on}} campus opened in 2010, fall semester.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palestineherald.com/local/local_story_264180800.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906132626/http://www.palestineherald.com/local/local_story_264180800.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-09-06|title=The Palestine Herald, Palestine, Texas - Paving the Way<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> The UT-Tyler Palestine Campus currently offers courses in nursing.<ref>{{cite web|title=University of Texas at Tyler Palestine Campus |publisher=UT Tyler |url=http://www.uttyler.edu/palestinecampus |format=digital |access-date=2009-03-27 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
</ref>

==Media==
Palestine is served by the daily ''[[Palestine Herald-Press]]'', founded in 1849 as the ''Palestine Advocate'', now owned by [[Community Newspaper Holdings]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.palestineherald.com/site/about-us.html |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=Palestineherald.com |language=en}}</ref>

The city is served by the Tyler television broadcast market. The nearest television transmitter to the city is [[KETK-TV]] (NBC) located 30 miles away at [[Mount Selman, Texas|Mt. Selman]]. Likewise, most radio stations serving Palestine originate from Tyler, Jacksonville, or Henderson.

Wired internet for the city is primarily provided by [[Suddenlink]] and [[CenturyLink]], with [[Windstream]] serving rural areas formerly operated by Valor Telecom. In the 2000s, [[Comcast]] and [[AT&T]] provided DSL service before withdrawing from the local market.

==Transportation==
[[File:Palestine, TX sign IMG 2305.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Palestine welcome sign off [[U.S. Route 79]]]]Palestine is at a crossroads of several arterial highways:
*[[File:US 79.svg|30px]] [[U.S. Highway 79 (Texas)|U.S. Highway 79]] from [[Austin, Texas|Austin]] to the Southwest and continues on to [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]] to the northeast
*[[File:US 84.svg|30px]] [[U.S. Highway 84 (Texas)|U.S. Highway 84]] from [[Waco, Texas|Waco]] to the West and continues on to [[Louisiana]], [[Mississippi]], [[Alabama]] and [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] to the east
*[[File:US 287.svg|30px]] [[U.S. Highway 287 (Texas)|U.S. Highway 287]] from [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]] to the northwest and continues on to [[Beaumont, Texas|Beaumont]] and [[Port Arthur, Texas|Port Arthur]] to the southeast
*[[File:Texas 19.svg|30px]] [[State Highway 19 (Texas)|State Highway 19]] from [[Huntsville, Texas|Huntsville]] to the South and continues on to [[Athens, Texas|Athens]] and [[Paris, Texas|Paris]]
*[[File:Texas 155.svg|30px]] [[State Highway 155 (Texas)|State Highway 155]] emanating from Palestine northeast to Tyler
*[[File:Texas 127.svg|30px]] Loop 127 is entirely within Palestine
*[[File:Texas 256.svg|30px]] [[State Highway Loop 256 (Texas)|Loop 256]] encircles downtown Palestine

=== Airport ===
Palestine is served by the general aviation Palestine Municipal Airport, located on the northwest edge of the city. Activated in 1942, its FAA identifier is PSN. Its runway 18/36 has a length of 5005&nbsp;ft, and crosswind runway 9/27 has a length of 4002&nbsp;ft. It is home to 31 airplanes, mostly single-engined, and is owned and operated by the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofpalestinetx.com/default.aspx?name=pw.airport |title=City of Palestine - Palestine Airport|access-date=  2 September 2016}}</ref> Palestine was served by [[Texas International Airlines|Trans-Texas Airlines]] (later known as [[Texas International Airlines]]) during the 1940s and 1950s using [[Douglas DC-3]] aircraft. One afternoon flight arrived from Dallas and Tyler continuing on to Lufkin, Beaumont, and Houston, while another aircraft stopped through going the other way. The service was discontinued between 1952 and 1954.

==Notable people==
{{div col}}
* [[Aaron Aryanpur]], (b. 1977) stand-up comedian
* [[Blacktop Mojo]], Rock band
* [[Smith Ballew]], (1902–1984) was an actor, sophisticated singer, orchestra leader, and a western singing star. 
* [[Steven L. Bennett]], [[Vietnam War]] (1946–1972) was a United States Air Force pilot who posthumously received the [[Medal of Honor]]. 
* [[Elton Bomer]], (b. 1935) is a politician who served as state representative and [[Texas Secretary of State]]
* [[Bill Bradley (football player)|Bill Bradley]], (b. 1947) is a former American football coach.
* [[Guy Brown]], (b. 1955) is a former [[NFL]] linebacker for the [[Dallas Cowboys]].
* [[Ivory Lee Brown]], (b. 1969) is a former [[NFL]] running back for [[Arizona Cardinals]]
* [[Thomas M. Campbell]], (1856–1923) was the 24th [[Governor of Texas]]. 
* [[Russ Cotton]], (1915–2009) was an [[NFL]] quarterback for the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]
* [[Keith Crawford]],  (b. 1970) is a former [[NFL]] cornerback for [[Green Bay Packers]]
* [[Oscar Dugey]], (1887–1966) was an [[MLB]] Second baseman for the 1915 NL Champions [[Philadelphia Phillies]]
* [[Dick H. Guinn]], (1918–1980) was a United States Navy Vice admiral. A [[Navy Cross]] recipient
* [[Ben Howard (aviator)|Ben Howard]], (1904–1970), was an aviator and aeronautical engineer
* [[John E. Jackson (Louisiana politician)|John E. Jackson]], state chairman, [[Louisiana Republican Party]], 1929–1934; born in Palestine in 1892<ref>{{cite web|url=http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/jackson5.html#263.22.53|title=Jackson, John Ellett|publisher=[[The Political Graveyard]]|access-date=July 28, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Jack Pepper]], (1902–1979) was a vaudeville dancer, singer, comedian, musician, and later in life a nightclub manager.
* [[Adrian Peterson]], (b. 1985) is an NFL running back known for his years with the [[Minnesota Vikings]], 2012 MVP.  
* [[John H. Reagan]], (1818–1905) US Congressman before and after the Civil War, Confederate Postmaster general, and US Senator after the war, chairman of the [[Texas Railroad Commission]]
* [[Jimmy Saxton|James Saxton]], (1940–2014) was an All-American [[NFL]] halfback for the [[History of the Kansas City Chiefs|Dallas Texans]]
* [[Todd Staples]], (b.1963) is the former two-term Texas Commissioner of Agriculture. 11th [[Texas Commissioner of Agriculture]] and former member of both houses of the [[Texas State Legislature]]  
* [[Gene Watson]], (b. 1943) is a country music singer, famous for his 1975 hit "Love in the Hot Afternoon,"
* [[Alliene Brandon Webb]], (1910–1965) was a composer, singer, and teacher.
* [[Whiskey Myers]], is a Southern rock/country band.
{{div col end}}
* [[Tye Sheridan]], (b. 1996), is an American actor and producer.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Texas}}
{{EB1911 poster|Palestine (Texas)|Palestine, Texas}}
* {{Commons category-inline|Palestine, Texas}}
* [http://www.cityofpalestinetx.org/ City of Palestine official website]
* {{Handbook of Texas|id=hep01|name=Palestine, Texas}}

{{Anderson County, Texas}}
{{Texas}}
{{Texas county seats}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Palestine, Texas| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Anderson County, Texas]]
[[Category:Cities in Texas]]
[[Category:County seats in Texas]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of Texas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1846]]
[[Category:1846 establishments in Texas]]