Tenaha, Texas
Tenaha is a small town in Shelby County, Texas, in East Texas, about 34 miles northeast of Nacogdoches as the crow flies, with a population of about 1,002.
Shelby
County
1,002
Population
East Texas
Region
3.7 sq mi
Land Area
34 mi
straight line to Nacogdoches
Updated October 2026 · Population: U.S. Census Bureau estimate for July 1, 2024. Land area and coordinates: U.S. Census Bureau. · Tenaha on Wikipedia
Tenaha City Limits
The official city boundary and the major highways through Tenaha.
Major roads: State Loop 157 · State Spur 168 · US Hwy 59 · US Hwy 84 · US Hwy 96
Boundary & roads: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line).
Tenaha from our research
What we've verified about Tenaha, one line per topic. Each links to the full page and its sources.
- History
- Founded in 1885 as a railroad shipping point in Shelby County, named for old Tenehaw, and immortalized in the rhyme 'Tenaha, Timpson, Bobo, and Blair.' Details →
- Schools
- 9 public schools within 12 miles, across 5 districts and charters, mainly Center ISD, Tenaha ISD and Gary ISD. Details → Source: Texas Education Agency AskTED directory — open campuses, enrollment as of Oct 2025
- Utilities
- Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative power (no plan shopping), CenterPoint gas, city water, and internet options in Shelby County. Details →
- Outdoors
- Nearest state parks: Martin Creek Lake (30 mi), Caddo Lake (51 mi), Mission Tejas (64 mi). Nearest lakes: Lake Murvaul (14 mi), Pinkston Reservoir (17 mi). Details → Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — park locations
- Contractors
- 1 licensed HVAC contractor and 2 licensed electricians serve Tenaha. Details → Source: TDLR license records, checked business by business
FAQ: Tenaha, Texas
Shelby County. The U.S. Census Bureau's 2020 place-by-county list places all of Tenaha in Shelby County.
East Texas guides
Region-wide guides that put Tenaha 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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