Anderson County Seat in the Piney Woods
About Palestine, TX
Welcome to Palestine, the Anderson County seat in the East Texas Piney Woods, a railroad town rich in historic architecture, dogwood trails, and vintage train excursions.
Palestine is a city in Anderson County, Texas, and the county seat, located deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas. It sits about 108 miles southeast of Dallas and 150 miles north of Houston, at the junction of U.S. Highways 79 and 287, with U.S. 84 and Texas Highways 19 and 155 also converging on the city. Palestine had a population of 18,544 at the 2020 census, making it the commercial and governmental hub of its county and one of the larger cities in the East Texas timber region. The city was named for Palestine, Illinois, by preacher Daniel Parker, who migrated from that town. Its growth accelerated with the arrival of the railroad in the late nineteenth century, when the city became a division point where rail lines branched across the region and the population roughly doubled. That rail heritage endures today in the Texas State Railroad, which runs steam and diesel excursion trains on a roughly 50-mile route between Palestine and the neighboring town of Rusk through the Piney Woods. Palestine is known for its extraordinary collection of historic architecture—more than 1,800 recorded historic sites, second only to Galveston among Texas cities—along with a lively Main Street and the spring dogwood bloom celebrated at Davey Dogwood Park and an annual festival. The Palestine Independent School District serves the community's roughly 3,200 students, and the city's hospital, colleges, and retail base anchor the region. Palestine appeals to those drawn to East Texas history, outdoor recreation, and small-city living with rail access to the region's past and highway access to the Dallas and Houston metros.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Palestine in?
Palestine is in Anderson County, Texas, and serves as the county seat. It is located in the Piney Woods of East Texas, about 108 miles southeast of Dallas and 150 miles north of Houston.
How far is Palestine from Dallas?
Palestine is about 108 miles southeast of Dallas and 150 miles north of Houston, at the intersection of U.S. Highways 79 and 287. Several numbered highways converge on the city, including U.S. 84 and Texas Highways 19 and 155.
What is Palestine, Texas named for?
Palestine was named for Palestine, Illinois, by preacher Daniel Parker, who migrated to East Texas from that town in the early nineteenth century. The name is pronounced 'PAL-is-teen,' distinguishing it from the Middle Eastern region.
What is the Texas State Railroad?
The Texas State Railroad offers steam and diesel excursion trains that travel a roughly 50-mile round trip between Palestine and the nearby town of Rusk through the Piney Woods. It is one of the region's best-known attractions.
What school district serves Palestine?
Palestine is served by the Palestine Independent School District, which operates six schools and serves about 3,247 students from pre-kindergarten through high school. The district covers the city and surrounding portions of Anderson County.
City Guide
About Palestine
Real Estate & Housing
Palestine's housing reflects its long history. The city holds one of the largest collections of historic sites in Texas, including Victorian-era and early-twentieth-century homes along tree-lined streets near downtown, alongside established mid-century neighborhoods and newer subdivisions on the city's edges. This mix gives buyers a range of options, from restored historic houses to conventional suburban homes and rural acreage in the surrounding Piney Woods. As the Anderson County seat, Palestine anchors the local housing market with its schools, hospital, and retail base, while its distance from the Dallas and Houston metros keeps the setting distinctly East Texan.
Neighborhoods
Lifestyle in Palestine
Palestine's culture is rooted in its railroad heritage and its East Texas setting. The Texas State Railroad's steam and diesel excursions draw visitors from across the region, while the spring dogwood blooms—celebrated each year with a festival—color the city's parks and streets. Downtown Palestine pairs a working Main Street of local shops and eateries with a remarkable concentration of historic buildings, and the community hosts regular events, farmers markets, and arts programming. The result is a lifestyle that blends small-town East Texas warmth with a steady stream of visitors and a strong sense of place.
Schools & Education
Palestine is served by the Palestine Independent School District, which operates six schools and serves about 3,247 students from pre-kindergarten through high school. The district covers the city and surrounding portions of Anderson County, with a student-teacher ratio around sixteen to one. Higher education options include the local community college presence in the city, and the district's size makes it a regional educational anchor for East Texas. School activities and athletics play a central role in community life, as they do across the region.
Getting Around
Palestine sits at a convergence of major highways, with U.S. 79, 84, and 287 and Texas Highways 19 and 155 all passing through or near the city. This network places Dallas about 108 miles northwest and Houston about 150 miles south, keeping both metros within a reasonable drive. The city's rail legacy lives on through the Texas State Railroad excursion line, and freight rail continues to serve the area. Within the city, transportation is car-dependent, with the highway network providing the primary connections for commuters, visitors, and regional commerce across East Texas.
Parks & Recreation
Palestine's recreation centers on the outdoors and its rail heritage. Davey Dogwood Park is the city's signature natural attraction, with dogwood trails that draw visitors each spring for the annual Dogwood Festival. The Texas State Railroad offers steam and diesel excursion rides through the Piney Woods between Palestine and Rusk, a favorite for families and train enthusiasts. The city's historic districts and landmarks, including the Texas Theatre and its downtown architecture, provide cultural exploration, while the surrounding East Texas timber country offers hunting, fishing, and access to nearby lakes and state forests.
MARKET SNAPSHOT
The Market at a Glance
How homes have been selling here over the last 90 days.
Price & Sales History
Market data reflects closed sales over the last 90 days and is provided for informational purposes.
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Zip Codes
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Browse listings by postal code in this area.
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Owen Real Estate and Property Management, LLC
Lonestar Ranch and Home Sales, LLC
801 Point Run Dr Pflugerville, TX
Yellow House Realty, LLC
2207 E. Hwy 114, Suite A Levelland, TX
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326 Silent Spring Dr. Cedar Park, TX
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Luxe Modern Realty
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Nowlin Realty Group, LLC
2925 Richmond Avenue, Ste. 1200 Houston, TX
Star Spangled Real Estate and Property Management, LLC
14150 Pebble Hills Blvd, Ste B El Paso, TX
Blue Wave Realty, LLC
2 Clam Dr Rockport, TX
YM Realty Group, LLC
2205 Lanshire Dr Mckinney, TX
East Plano Realty, LLC
3817 Cloudcrest Dr Plano, TX
21st Century Realty Group
2231 Laurel Forest Way Houston, TX
Our Texas Real Estate
9702 Oxford Avenue Lubbock, TX
Rafters R Realty, LLC
600 S. Tyler Street, Suite 2100 Amarillo, TX
Acre Investments
9702 Oxford Avenue Lubbock, TX
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18449 Cr 2341 Arp, TX
Dietz Real Estate, LLC
4012 Woodrow Rd Lubbock, TX
USA Land and Ranch, LLC
2300 N Western Ste 117 Amarillo, TX
Dream Catchers Realty
2716 South Medford Drive, Suite A Lufkin, TX
RedZone Realty LLC
4819 Big Cedar Cir Missouri City, TX
Mission Valley Realty Group, LLC
1613 N Zaragoza Dr Ste 205 El Paso, TX
Total Property Care, LLC
Cap Rate Real Estate Group LLC
1035 Belvidere St Ste 290 El Paso, TX
Legacy Oak Realty, LLC
11782 Jollyville Rd Ste 209 Austin, TX
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Local Group, LLC
Homegirl Real Estate Consulting, LLC
3015 Wheeling Ave. El Paso, TX 79930
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4B Real Estate, LLC
Prop, LLC
6510 70th Street Lubbock, TX 79424
