Palestine, Texas | |
|---|---|
 Downtown Palestine | |
 Location of Palestine, Texas | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 31°45′16″N 95°38′48″W / 31.75444°N 95.64667°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| County | Anderson |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 19.63 sq mi (50.83 km2) |
| • Land | 19.42 sq mi (50.30 km2) |
| • Water | 0.20 sq mi (0.53 km2) |
| Elevation | 509 ft (155 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 18,544 |
| • Density | 912.88/sq mi (352.46/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes | 75801-75803, 75882 |
| Area code(s) | 903, 430 |
| FIPS code | 48-54708[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411355[2] |
| Website | www |
Palestine (/ˈpælɪstiːn/ PAL-ist-een) is a city in and the seat of Anderson County in the U.S. state of Texas.[5] It was named after Palestine, Illinois, by preacher Daniel Parker, who had migrated from that town.[6] 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 U.S. census population of 18,544, making it the sixth-largest incorporated municipality in Northeast Texas by population.[7] Palestine is a relatively small city located in the Piney Woods, equidistant from the major cities of Dallas, Houston, and Shreveport, Louisiana.
It is notable for its natural environment, and has a notable 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.
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Palestine, Texas
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ Kelsey, Mavis P. and Dyal, Donald H. The Courthouses of Texas (2nd ed.). Texas A&M University Press, College Station, 2000, p31.
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Palestine city, Texas Palestine has many war memorial parks including a recently built Confederate Heroes Park in Downtown". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2022-04-19.