Palestine, Texas
Palestine is a city in Anderson County, Texas, in East Texas, about 46 miles southwest of Tyler as the crow flies, with a population of about 19,583.
Anderson
County
19,583
Population
East Texas
Region
19.5 sq mi
Land Area
46 mi
straight line to Tyler
Updated October 2026 · Population: U.S. Census Bureau estimate for July 1, 2024. Land area and coordinates: U.S. Census Bureau. · Palestine on Wikipedia
Palestine City Limits
The official city boundary and the major highways through Palestine.
Major roads: FM 322 · Loop 256 · State Hwy 127 · State Hwy 155 · State Hwy 19 · US Hwy 287 · US Hwy 79 · US Hwy 84
Boundary & roads: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line).
Palestine from our research
What we've verified about Palestine, one line per topic. Each links to the full page and its sources.
- History
- A railroad town founded in 1846, named for Palestine, Illinois, home of the Texas State Railroad and a NASA balloon facility. Details →
- Dining
- 69 verified places to eat and drink; most common: Mexican & Tex-Mex · Coffee, Sweets & Bakery · Burgers & American; 10 have a full bar. Details → Source: Texas Comptroller sales-tax permit records, checked place by place
- Schools
- 16 public schools within 12 miles, across 5 districts and charters, mainly Palestine ISD, Westwood ISD and Elkhart ISD. Details → Source: Texas Education Agency AskTED directory — open campuses, enrollment as of Oct 2025
- Utilities
- A deregulated electricity market on the Oncor grid where you choose your provider, plus Atmos gas, city water, and internet in Anderson County. Details →
- Outdoors
- Nearest state parks: Mission Tejas (28 mi), Fort Boggy (44 mi), Purtis Creek (46 mi). Nearest lakes: Houston County Lake (24 mi), Lake Jacksonville (24 mi). Details → Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — park locations
- Contractors
- 5 licensed plumbers, 3 licensed HVAC contractors and 7 licensed electricians serve Palestine. Details → Source: TSBPE and TDLR license records, checked business by business
FAQ: Palestine, Texas
Anderson County. The U.S. Census Bureau's 2020 place-by-county list places all of Palestine in Anderson County.
East Texas guides
Region-wide guides that put Palestine 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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