Palestine, Texas
Encyclopedia
Palestine is a city in Anderson County
, Texas
, in the United States
. As of the 2000 census
, the city population was 17,598, and 18,458 in the 2009 estimate. It is the county seat
of Anderson County
and is situated in East Texas
. Palestine was named for Palestine
, Illinois, by Daniel Parker
.
The largest employer is the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
, which employs more than 3,900. Another 1,600 work at two Wal-Mart
distribution centers. Other significant employers include a thriving medical and healthcare sector that tends to the large population of retirees.
Palestine entered the news in February 2003, as one of the East Texas towns that received much of the debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster
, where seven astronauts were killed, including the first Israeli astronaut
. Palestine is also home to the NASA
Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility
(renamed after the shuttle crash), which has flown 1700 high-altitude balloons for universities and research agencies.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 17.9 square miles (46.4 km²), of which, 17.7 square miles (45.8 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (1.01%)is water.
of 2000, there were 17,598 people, 6,641 households, and 4,582 families residing in the city. The population density
was 994.3 people per square mile (383.9/km²). There were 7,668 housing units at an average density of 433.2 per square mile (167.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.60% White, 24.77% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 7.90% from other races
, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.88% of the population.
-
- There were 6,641 households out of which 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 non-families. 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.
-
- In the city the population was spread out with 29.1% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.
-
- The median income for a household in the city was $30,497, and the median income 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.
by Republican Robert Nichols
, District 3, and in the Texas House of Representatives
by Republican Byron Cook
, District 8.
and Kay Bailey Hutchison
; Palestine is part of Texas' US Congressional 5th District, currently represented by Republican Jeb Hensarling
.
is the largest school district in Palestine. The district comprises:
Located on the western edge of the city is the Westwood Independent School District
. It is home to approximately 1700 students. It consists of a primary, elementary, junior high and high school campus.
Westwood Independent School District
, is in Palestine.
operates TVCC-Palestine just north of the city limits at the intersection of US 287 and 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.
The University of Texas at Tyler
also operates an extension campus in the city. Fundraising for a new $9.6 million 50 acres (202,343 m²) campus is currently under way with plans to open the facility for the 2010 fall semester. The UT Tyler Palestine Campus currently offers courses in Nursing, Business, Education, Health and Kinesiology and History.
Anderson County, Texas
Anderson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 55,109. Its county seat is Palestine. Anderson county was organized in 1846, and is named in honor of Kenneth L. Anderson who had been Vice President of the Republic of Texas.-Geography:According to the...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, the city population was 17,598, and 18,458 in the 2009 estimate. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Anderson County
Anderson County, Texas
Anderson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 55,109. Its county seat is Palestine. Anderson county was organized in 1846, and is named in honor of Kenneth L. Anderson who had been Vice President of the Republic of Texas.-Geography:According to the...
and is situated in East Texas
East Texas
East Texas is a distinct geographic and ecological area in the U.S. state of Texas.According to the Handbook of Texas, the East Texas area "may be separated from the rest of Texas roughly by a line extending from the Red River in north central Lamar County southwestward to east central Limestone...
. Palestine was named for Palestine
Palestine, Illinois
Palestine is a village in Crawford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,366 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Palestine is located at ....
, Illinois, by Daniel Parker
Daniel Parker
Daniel Parker was a leader in the Primitive Baptist Church in the Southern United States. As an elder, Parker led a group who separated from that church and formed the Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists...
.
The largest employer is the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is a department of the government of the state of Texas. The TDCJ is responsible for statewide criminal justice for adult offenders, including managing offenders in state prisons, state jails and private correctional facilities, funding and certain...
, which employs more than 3,900. Another 1,600 work at two Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
distribution centers. Other significant employers include a thriving medical and healthcare sector that tends to the large population of retirees.
Palestine entered the news in February 2003, as one of the East Texas towns that received much of the debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster
Space Shuttle Columbia disaster
The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster occurred on February 1, 2003, when shortly before it was scheduled to conclude its 28th mission, STS-107, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas and Louisiana during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, resulting in the death of all seven crew members...
, where seven astronauts were killed, including the first Israeli astronaut
Ilan Ramon
Ilan Ramon was a fighter pilot in the Israeli Air Force, and later the first Israeli astronaut....
. Palestine is also home to the NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility
Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility
The Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility is a NASA facility responsible for providing launch, tracking and control, airspace coordination, telemetry and command systems, and recovery services for unmanned, high altitude balloons...
(renamed after the shuttle crash), which has flown 1700 high-altitude balloons for universities and research agencies.
History
Palestine was settled in 1846 and grew significantly following the arrival of the railroad in the 1870's.Geography
Palestine is located at 31°45′29"N 95°38′19"W (31.757925, -95.638473).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 17.9 square miles (46.4 km²), of which, 17.7 square miles (45.8 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (1.01%)is water.
Climate
- The average warmest month is July.
- The highest recorded temperature was 114°F in 1954.
- On average, the coolest month is January.
- The lowest recorded temperature was -4°F in 1930.
- The maximum average precipitation occurs in October.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 17,598 people, 6,641 households, and 4,582 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 994.3 people per square mile (383.9/km²). There were 7,668 housing units at an average density of 433.2 per square mile (167.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.60% White, 24.77% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 7.90% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.88% of the population.
-
- There were 6,641 households out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 18.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 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.
-
- In the city the population was spread out with 29.1% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.
-
- The median income for a household in the city was $30,497, and the median income for a family was $36,806. Males had a median income of $28,331 versus $20,662 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Local government
According to the city’s most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city’s various funds had $12.6 million in Revenues, $11.8 million in expenditures, $6.2 million in total assets, $0.7 million in total liabilities, and $4.2 million in cash in investments.State government
Palestine is represented in the Texas SenateTexas Senate
The Texas Senate is the upper house of the Texas Legislature. There are 31 members of the Senate, representing 31 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 672,000 per constituency. There are no term limits, and each term is four years long. The Senate meets at the...
by Republican Robert Nichols
Robert Nichols (Texas politician)
Robert Nichols is the Republican senator for the 3rd District in the Texas Senate.-Early years:Robert Nichols graduated from Lamar University with a degree in Industrial Engineering in 1968...
, District 3, and in the Texas House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
by Republican Byron Cook
Byron Cook (Texas politician)
Byron Curtis Cook is a rancher and businessman from Corsicana, Texas, who is a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 8, which encompasses Anderson, Freestone, Limestone, and Navarro counties.-Early life:...
, District 8.
National government
At the national level, the two U.S. Senators from Texas are Republicans John CornynJohn Cornyn
John Cornyn, III is the junior United States Senator for Texas, serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. He was elected Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee for the 111th U.S. Congress....
and Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kathryn Ann Bailey Hutchison, known as Kay Bailey Hutchison , is the senior United States Senator from Texas.She is a member of the Republican Party. In 2001, she was named one of the thirty most powerful women in America by Ladies Home Journal. The first woman to represent Texas in the U.S....
; Palestine is part of Texas' US Congressional 5th District, currently represented by Republican Jeb Hensarling
Jeb Hensarling
Jeb Hensarling has been the Republican congressman representing Texas' 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives since 2003.-Early life:...
.
Public school districts
With almost 3,500 students the Palestine Independent School DistrictPalestine Independent School District
Palestine Independent School District is a public school district based in Palestine, Texas that serves approximately 3,500 students in central Anderson County....
is the largest school district in Palestine. The district comprises:
- Palestine High SchoolPalestine High School (Texas)Palestine High School is a 3A high school located in Palestine, Texas . It is part of the Palestine Independent School District located in central Anderson County. The old Palestine High School built in 1915 is now The Museum for East Texas Culture...
, grades 9-12 - Palestine Middle School, grades 6-8
- A. M. Story Elementary, grades 3-5
- Southside Primary, grades 1-2
- Northside Early Childhood Center, headstart and pre-k
Located on the western edge of the city is the Westwood Independent School District
Westwood Independent School District
Westwood Independent School District is a public school district based in Palestine, Texas . The district serves part of Palestine and rural areas in west central Anderson County....
. It is home to approximately 1700 students. It consists of a primary, elementary, junior high and high school campus.
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
Landmark School, a 9-12 charter school of Honors AcademyHonors Academy
Honors Academy Charter School District is a group of state charter schools with its administrative offices in Farmers Branch, Texas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.-Schools:6-12* Legacy Academy 9-12* Landmark School K-9...
, is in Palestine.
Colleges and universities
Trinity Valley Community CollegeTrinity Valley Community College
Trinity Valley Community College is a community college in the state of Texas.TVCC operates four campuses serving the Texas counties of Anderson, Henderson, and Kaufman, southeast of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex:...
operates TVCC-Palestine just north of the city limits at the intersection of US 287 and State Highway 19
State Highway 19 (Texas)
State Highway 19, or SH 19, runs from Huntsville to Paris in east Texas. It is a two-lane freeway near Huntsville.-History:SH 19 was one of the original 26 Texas state highways proposed in 1917. The original proposal was for it to run from the Texas/Oklahoma border north of Paris to Houston. By...
. 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.
The University of Texas at Tyler
University of Texas at Tyler
The University of Texas at Tyler, also referred to as UT Tyler, is a coeducational public university located in Tyler, Texas. Founded in 1971, it is a component institution of the University of Texas System....
also operates an extension campus in the city. Fundraising for a new $9.6 million 50 acres (202,343 m²) campus is currently under way with plans to open the facility for the 2010 fall semester. The UT Tyler Palestine Campus currently offers courses in Nursing, Business, Education, Health and Kinesiology and History.
Dogwood Trails Festival
The Dogwood Trails Festival occurs each Spring, the last 2 weekends of March and the 1st weekend in April, in Palestine, spanning 3 consecutive weekends.Dogwood Jamboree
The Dogwood Jamboree is held every two months at the Palestine Civic Center. The country and western concert is hosted by Dan Manuel and a variety of country and western artists. Each performance always features new talent, young, older and in between. The newest addition to the Dogwood Jamboree features talent competition developing young artists under the age of eighteen. Attendees come all over the nation and foreign countries to see the performances.Notable people
- Elton BomerElton BomerElton L. Bomer is an insurance executive and a retired American politician from Montalba near Palestine, the seat of Anderson County in eastern Texas.-Political life:...
- former state representative and former Texas Secretary of State - Bill Bradley (football player)Bill Bradley (football player)William Calvin "Bill" Bradley is an American football coach and former defensive back in the National Football League. He played with the Philadelphia Eagles for most of his career...
- NFL coach - Thomas M. Campbell - 24th governor of Texas
- Keith CrawfordKeith CrawfordKeith Crawford is a former wide receiver and defensive back in the National Football League.-Biography:Crawford was born Keith LeCharles Crawford on November 21, 1970 in Palestine, Texas.-Career:...
- NFL player - Ben Howard - Aeronautical designer and race pilot
- Adrian Peterson - Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
running back and former Oklahoma SoonersOklahoma Sooners footballThe Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
player - John H. Reagan - Nineteenth century American politician and Confederate postmaster general
- Todd StaplesTodd StaplesDouglas Todd Staples is the current Republican Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture. Prior to his election in 2006 as Agriculture Commissioner, he had been a member of both houses of the Texas State Legislature and formerly served on the city council in Palestine, Texas.Staples was...
- 11th (current) Texas commissioner of agriculture and former member of both houses of the Texas State Legislature - Gene WatsonGene WatsonGary Gene Watson is an American country singer. He is most famous for his 1975 hit "Love in the Hot Afternoon," his 1982 hit "Fourteen Carat Mind," and his signature song "Farewell Party." Watson's long career has notched six number ones, 23 top tens and over 75 charted singles.-Biography:Watson...
- Singer - Brystol Paxton - Actress
Roads and highways
-
U.S. Highway 79 -
U.S. Highway 84 -
U.S. Highway 287 -
State Highway 19State Highway 19 (Texas)State Highway 19, or SH 19, runs from Huntsville to Paris in east Texas. It is a two-lane freeway near Huntsville.-History:SH 19 was one of the original 26 Texas state highways proposed in 1917. The original proposal was for it to run from the Texas/Oklahoma border north of Paris to Houston. By... -
State Highway 155State Highway 155 (Texas)State Highway 155 or SH 155 runs from U.S. Highway 79 in Palestine northeastward via Frankston to State Highway 64 at Tyler; and from another point on SH 64 northward to junction of US 271 and State Highway 31; and then from a point on US 271 northeast of Tyler, northeastward via Big Sandy, Gilmer,... -
Loop 127 -
Loop 256State Highway Loop 256 (Texas)Loop 256 is a loop highway around Palestine, Texas. Loop 256 is a five-lane highway around most of the city. The exception which is still two lanes is the portion connecting US 84 E to US 79 E on the northeast side. The southeast side of the loop, from its intersections with US 287/SH 19 S to US...
Museums
- Texas State RailroadTexas State RailroadThe Texas State Railroad is a historic 25-mile railroad between Rusk and Palestine, Texas. The start of the railroad dates back to 1881. Its original purpose was to bring in raw materials for a prison iron foundry and to take the finished product out. The railroad grew and eventually expanded to...
- Museum for East Texas Culture
- Explore! The Children's Museum
Entertainment
- Dogwood Junction
- Dogwood Six Theater
- Firefly Pottery Studio
- Explore! The Children's Museum
External links
- City of Palestine
- Small Town Justice - Open Records Online
- Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility, Palestine
- Historic Photos of Palestine Texas hosted by the Portal to Texas History
- Palestine Independent School District
- Westwood Independent School District
- University of Texas at Tyler - Palestine Campus
- Trinity Valley Community College - Palestine Campus