Kerens, Texas
Kerens is a small town in Navarro County, Texas, in East Texas, about 56 miles southeast of Dallas as the crow flies, with a population of about 1,508.
Navarro
County
1,508
Population
East Texas
Region
2.5 sq mi
Land Area
56 mi
straight line to Dallas
Updated October 2026 · Population: U.S. Census Bureau estimate for July 1, 2024. Land area and coordinates: U.S. Census Bureau. · Kerens on Wikipedia
Kerens City Limits
The official city boundary and the major highways through Kerens.
Major roads: State Hwy 31 · State Hwy 309
Boundary & roads: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line).
Kerens from our research
What we've verified about Kerens, one line per topic. Each links to the full page and its sources.
- History
- Founded in 1881 on the Texas & St. Louis Railway (later the Cotton Belt), named for financier R.C. Kerens, a cotton-farming town and the birthplace of Big Tex. Details →
- Dining
- 7 verified places to eat and drink. Details → Source: Texas Comptroller sales-tax permit records, checked place by place
- Schools
- 8 public schools within 12 miles, across 5 districts and charters, mainly Malakoff ISD, Mildred ISD and Kemp ISD. Details → Source: Texas Education Agency AskTED directory — open campuses, enrollment as of Oct 2025
- Utilities
- A deregulated electricity market on the Oncor grid, Atmos gas, City of Kerens water and trash with Republic carts, and internet in Navarro County. Details →
- Outdoors
- Nearest state parks: Purtis Creek (21 mi), Fort Parker (41 mi), Lake Tawakoni (51 mi). Nearest lakes: Cedar Creek Lake (13 mi), Lake Athens (28 mi). Details → Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — park locations
- Contractors
- 1 licensed HVAC contractor and 5 licensed electricians serve Kerens. Details → Source: TDLR license records, checked business by business
FAQ: Kerens, Texas
Navarro County. The U.S. Census Bureau's 2020 place-by-county list places all of Kerens in Navarro County.
East Texas guides
Region-wide guides that put Kerens in context — where to go, what things cost, and how people actually live here.
Moving to East Texas: What You Need to Know
Thinking about moving to East Texas? A fact-checked guide to healthcare, schools, getting around, weather, and daily life in Tyler, Jacksonville, and the towns around them.
Read Guide →Things to Do in East Texas
What to do in East Texas, checked against official sources: Tyler's Rose Garden and Caldwell Zoo, Canton's First Monday Trade Days, the Texas State Railroad, state parks, museums and festivals.
Read Guide →Cost of Living in East Texas
What it costs to live in East Texas, using Census figures: home values and rents in Tyler, Jacksonville and Athens compared with Texas and the big metros, plus taxes, utilities, healthcare and driving.
Read Guide →Retiring in East Texas: Why Retirees Love It Here
Retiring in East Texas: Tyler's trauma-designated hospitals, Texas 65+ school-tax exemptions, lake towns like Gun Barrel City and Hideaway, and sourced drive times and weather.
Read Guide →Business Owner?
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