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CITY

Palestine

Texas · 19,555 residents (2025 est.) · 19.456 sq mi
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The short version

Palestine has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $44,981. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $166,000. Households here earn about 43% less than the Texas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 66%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,136
+9%since 2000
from 17,598 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
984 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 905 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
35.7
+4%since 2000
from 34.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:19,555 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
17K18K18K19K19K1990201020202024Palestine
202419K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,981
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,497 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,699
+85%since 2000
from $15,514 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
34.3%
+16.4 ptssince 2009
from 18.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.6%
−3.1 ptssince 2000
from 20.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.484
+5%since 2010
from 0.462 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance13.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical10.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade7.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade6%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing2.8%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services2.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services1.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.3%
US avg: 2.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$166,000
+66%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,062
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $467 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
54.8%
−7.4 ptssince 2000
from 62.1% in 2000
45.2% rent
Vacancy rate
13.0%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 20.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 22.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.5%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.7
+105%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
43
RELATED:See current rent listings in Palestine on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic58.5%(10,292)
Black24.6%(4,330)
Hispanic / Latino14.9%(2,619)
Asian0.8%(139)
Other0%
Diversity Score70.6%(12,417)
2024
White, non-Hispanic45.8%(8,762)
Black26.7%(5,113)
Hispanic / Latino24%(4,595)
Asian0.1%(23)
Other3.4%(643)
Diversity Score82.5%(15,791)
Diversity Score
83
+17%since 2000
from 71 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.6%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 14.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
87.9%
+13.2 ptssince 2000
from 74.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.7 min
+57%since 2000
from 13.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.7%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 75.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.0%
−10.6 ptssince 2009
from 19.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
2.2%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.4%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.7%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.2%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.0%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 10.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
61.7%
+6.9 ptssince 2011
from 54.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.1%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
25.5%
−23.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Female
48.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Foreign born
9.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.6%
−45.9 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.9%
+3.1 ptssince 2012
from 15.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
19.1%
−55.1 ptssince 2013
from 74.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.4%
+26.9 ptssince 2017
from 62.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
81.8%
+6.4 ptssince 2016
from 75.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
14.6%
−7.4 ptssince 2016
from 22.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Palestine

Lealman
Pop 20,567
Bayshore Gardens
Pop 18,131
Lady Lake
Pop 17,496
New Port Richey
Pop 18,299
Places similar to Palestine
Head to head

Compare Palestine to nearby cities

PALESTINE VS
Jacksonville
Income$51,375+14%
Home value$119,800−28%
Population14,658−25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALESTINE VS
Athens
Income$67,984+51%
Home value$210,800+27%
Population13,870−29%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALESTINE VS
Whitehouse
Income$99,458+121%
Home value$253,800+53%
Population9,970−49%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALESTINE VS
Tyler
Income$67,486+50%
Home value$235,300+42%
Population113,723+482%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Palestine, Texas?

Palestine, Texas has about 19,136 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Palestine, Texas?

The typical household in Palestine, Texas earns about $44,981 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Palestine, Texas expensive?

In Palestine, Texas, the median home is worth about $166,000, and the typical rent is about $1,062 a month.

How educated are people in Palestine, Texas?

About 16.6% of adults age 25 and over in Palestine, Texas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Palestine, Texas?

About 17.6% of people in Palestine, Texas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Palestine, Texas grown since 1990?

Yes, Palestine, Texas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,094 residents, a change of about 6 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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