Palestine, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Palestine, Texas had a total population of 19,136, the 171st largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $44,981, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Palestine Quick Facts
How Palestine Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,888 | 19,136 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $46,228 | $44,981 | -2.7% |
| Median home value | $153,400 | $166,000 | +8.2% |
How Palestine Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Palestine Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Anderson County
Cities Similar to Palestine
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plainview | 19,711 | $44,768 | $113,000 | 15.3% | 24.0% |
| Brownwood | 18,777 | $48,981 | $144,400 | 19.0% | 20.9% |
| Aldine | 17,167 | $44,455 | $103,200 | 5.9% | 30.3% |
| Alice | 17,707 | $48,676 | $131,100 | 14.1% | 31.4% |
| Alton | 20,214 | $52,715 | $156,300 | 14.2% | 27.5% |
Population Overview
Palestine is a small city located in Texas, within Anderson County. The total population is 19,136. It ranks as the 171st most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Palestine is 35.7 years. This is about the same as the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Palestine is $44,981. This is 43% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 27% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 32% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $166,000. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 54.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Palestine is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 26.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (26.7% vs 11.9%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
16.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 33.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Palestine, Texas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Palestine, Texas?
Palestine, Texas has a population of 19,136 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Palestine, TX?
The median household income in Palestine is $44,981, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Palestine, TX?
The poverty rate in Palestine is 17.6%. This means approximately 3,283 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Palestine, Texas?
Palestine's population is 45.8% White, 26.7% Black, 24.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Palestine, TX?
The median home value in Palestine is $166,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Palestine, Texas?
16.7% of adults (25+) in Palestine hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.