Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Palestine, TX Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

19,136

Median Agei

35.7

Race & Ethnicityi

White

45.8%8,762

Black

26.7%5,113

Hispanic/Latino

24%4,595

Two or More

2.4%454

Other

0.5%94

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.3%60

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.2%35

Asian

0.1%23

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

10.9%1,385

High School Diploma

31.5%3,998

Some College (<1 yr)

8.4%1,066

Some College (1+ yr)

12.7%1,614

Associate's Degree

7.8%985

Bachelor's Degree

11.2%1,418

Master's Degree

3.7%465

Professional Degree

1.4%172

Doctorate

0.5%58

HS or Higher

87.9%

BA or Higher

16.6%

Graduate+

5.5%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$166,000

Median Renti

$1,062

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

54.8%3,688

Renter-Occupied

45.2%3,046

Total Units

7,743

Homeownership

54.8%

Vacancy Rate

13%

Home Values

Under $50K

3.7%138

$50K–$100K

19.8%730

$100K–$150K

18.5%682

$150K–$200K

19.4%714

$200K–$300K

18.3%674

$300K–$500K

11.7%430

$500K–$1M

7.1%263

$1M+

1.5%57

Rent Distribution

Under $500

346

$500–$750

158

$750–$1,000

689

$1,000–$1,250

529

$1,250–$1,500

447

$1,500–$2,000

459

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

4%312

2010–2019

5.9%458

2000–2009

8.2%635

1990–1999

5.4%419

1980–1989

17.2%1,330

1970–1979

25.1%1,942

1960–1969

11.8%914

1950–1959

7.7%595

1940–1949

4.4%344

1939 or earlier

10.3%794

Heating Fuel

Electricity

63.7%4,290

Utility Gas

34.4%2,317

No Fuel

1.6%106

Bottled/LP Gas

0.3%21

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$44,981

Mean Household Incomei

$69,568

Per Capita Incomei

$28,699

Poverty Ratei

17.2%

Unemploymenti

Labor Forcei

9,138

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

9.9%668

$10K–$15K

4.3%287

$15K–$20K

4.3%288

$20K–$25K

4.9%331

$25K–$30K

6.6%445

$30K–$35K

8.8%590

$35K–$40K

5%334

$40K–$45K

6.3%426

$45K–$50K

3.5%233

$50K–$60K

3.8%255

$60K–$75K

8.4%566

$75K–$100K

12%805

$100K–$125K

9.8%662

$125K–$150K

5.5%372

$150K–$200K

3.5%236

$200K+

3.5%236

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

439

Residentsi

435

Avg. Tenant Renti

$404/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

25 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers366 homes51% occupied$419/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 873 homes95% occupied$329/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $44,981/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $13K/yr

62.5%

Very low income$13K–$22K/yr

34%

Low income$22K–$36K/yr

3.5%

Who Receives This Housing

84.8% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

68% of subsidized households are minority

30% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

42.8% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

1,7589.2%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

954

Guatemala

Philippines

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

8,417

Avg. Commutei

20.7 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

8,470

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

956(6.6% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

80.9%Insured

19.1%Uninsured