Palestine, Texas

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Palestine, Texas
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Palestine, Texas


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Texas
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Anderson

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 46.3
area_land_km2 = 45.8
area_water_km2 = 0.5
area_total_sq_mi = 17.9
area_land_sq_mi = 17.7
area_water_sq_mi = 0.2

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 17598
population_density_km2 = 383.9
population_density_sq_mi = 994.3

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 147
elevation_ft = 482
latd = 31 |latm = 45 |lats = 29 |latNS = N
longd = 95 |longm = 38 |longs = 19 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 75800-75899
area_code = 903
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 48-54708GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1364714GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Palestine (pronEng|ˈpælɛstiːn "PAL-es-teen)" is a city in Anderson County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 17,598. It is the county seat of Anderson CountyGR|6 and is situated in East Texas. Palestine was named for Palestine, Illinois, the home of an early settler.

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. Finally a distinguishing mark of Palestine is that it is home to the NASA Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility, which has flown 1700 high-altitude balloons for universities and research agencies.

Palestine entered the news in February 2003, as one of the East Texas towns that received much of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster debris.

Palestine is also the hometown of former Oklahoma Sooner and now Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

Geography

Palestine is located at coor dms|31|45|29|N|95|38|19|W|city (31.757925, -95.638473)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.9 square miles (46.3 km²), of which, 17.7 square miles (45.8 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (1.01%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 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/sq mi (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.

Education

Public Schools

With almost 3,500 students the Palestine Independent School District is the largest school district in Palestine. [ [http://deleon.tea.state.tx.us/sdl/Forms/txtSearch.aspx School District Locator : Accessible Version ] ] The district comprises:

Northside Early Childhood Center, headstart and pre-k
Southside Primary, grades 1-2
A. M. Story Elementary, grades 3-5
Palestine Middle School, grades 6-8
Palestine High School, grades 9-12.

Located on the western edge of the city is the Westwood Independent School District. It is home to approximately 1700 students. [ [http://deleon.tea.state.tx.us/sdl/Forms/txtSearch.aspx# School District Locator : Accessible Version ] ] It consists of a primary, elementary, junior high and high school campus.

Colleges and Universities

Trinity Valley Community College 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. [ [http://www.tvcc.edu/campus/palestine/default.aspx Palestine ] ]

The University of Texas at Tyler also operates an extension campus in the city. Fundraising for a new $9.6 million 50 acre campus is currently under way with plans to open the facility for the 2010 fall semester. [ [http://www.palestineherald.com/local/local_story_264180800.html The Palestine Herald, Palestine, Texas - Paving the Way ] ] The UT Tyler Palestine Campus currently offers courses in Nursing, Business, Education, Health and Kinesiology and History. [ [http://www.uttyler.edu/palestine/ University of Texas at Tyler, Palestine Campus ] ]

Famous People

Bill Bradley (football player) - NFL Coach
Thomas M. Campbell - 24th Governor of Texas
Lamar Muse - Airline Industry Leader
Adrian Peterson - NFL Running Back
John H. Reagan - 19th Century American Politician/Confederate Postmaster General
Todd Staples - 11th (current) Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
Brent Paxton - Singer/Actor/Radio Personality
Gene Watson - Singer

Post Office

Palestine Post Office, 1213 North Link Street, Palestine, Texas 75803-9998

Roads and highways

*U.S. Highway 79
*U.S. Highway 84
*U.S. Highway 287
*State Highway 19
*State Highway 155
*Loop 127
*Loop 256

References in popular culture

Popular artist T-Bone Burnett released a song with the title "Palestine, Texas". Featuring John Mayer, this song uses the interesting name of the city as a metaphor for current events and social commentary. The two artists performed the song on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in May 2006.

Historic Attractions

* Texas State Railroad

References

External links

* [http://www.cityofpalestinetx.org/ City of Palestine]
*Handbook of Texas|id=PP/hep1|name=Palestine, Texas
* [http://www.csbf.nasa.gov/ Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility] , Palestine
* [http://texashistory.unt.edu/search/?q=%22United+States+-+Texas+-+Anderson+County+-+Palestine%22&t=dc.coverage Historic Photos of Palestine Texas] hosted by the [http://texashistory.unt.edu/ Portal to Texas History]
* [http://www.palestineschools.org/ Palestine Independent School District]
* [http://www.westwoodisd.net/ Westwood Independent School District]
* [http://www.uttyler.edu/palestine/ University of Texas at Tyler - Palestine Campus]
* [http://www.tvcc.edu/campus/palestine/default.aspx Trinity Valley Community College - Palestine Campus]