Palestine, Texas
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 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411355 |
| Website | www |
Palestine (/ˈpælɪstiːn/ PAL-ist-een) is a city in and the seat of Anderson County in the U.S. state of Texas. It was named after Palestine, Illinois, by preacher Daniel Parker, who had migrated from that town. 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. 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.