Palestine, TX Demographics

A map of Palestine's Population by Race

Palestine, Texas has an estimated population of 19,136, an increase from the 18,544 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 45.8% White, 26.7% Black, 24.0% Hispanic, 2.4% Multiracial, 1.0% Native American/Other, and 0.1% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Palestine, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Palestine has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than Texas overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Palestine, that probability was 66.8% in 2020 and 66.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Palestine is ranked the 171st most populous place in Texas, out of 1,863 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Palestine was ranked the 160th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Palestine's White Population

8,762 residents of Palestine, or 45.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Palestine is higher than in Texas overall, where 39.1% of the population is White. Palestine ranks 1110th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,863 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Palestine's White population has grown by an estimated 3.7%. White residents' share of Palestine's population has remained roughly unchanged at 45.8%.

Palestine is less White than neighboring Elkhart (67.8% White), Neches (87.5% White), Oakwood (55.1% White), Grapeland (58.1% White), and Poynor (89.9% White).

Palestine's Black Population

5,113 residents of Palestine, or 26.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Palestine is considerably higher than in Texas overall, where 11.9% of the population is Black. Palestine ranks 106th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,863 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Palestine's Black population has grown by an estimated 15.2%. Black residents' share of Palestine's population has increased from 23.9% to 26.7%.

Palestine is more Black than neighboring Elkhart (14.3% Black), Neches (0% Black), and Poynor (0% Black). Palestine is less Black than neighboring Oakwood (39.3% Black), and Grapeland (28.7% Black).

Palestine's Asian Population

23 residents of Palestine, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Palestine is lower than in Texas overall, where 5.5% of the population is Asian. Palestine ranks 516th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,863 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Palestine's Asian population has declined by an estimated 86.1%. Asian residents' share of Palestine's population has decreased from 0.9% to 0.1%.

Palestine is more Asian than neighboring Oakwood (0% Asian), and Poynor (0% Asian). Palestine is less Asian than neighboring Elkhart (3.2% Asian), Neches (2.6% Asian), and Grapeland (1.5% Asian).

Palestine's Hispanic Population

4,595 residents of Palestine, or 24.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Palestine is significantly lower than in Texas overall, where 39.7% of the population is Hispanic. Palestine ranks 1007th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,863 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Palestine's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 3.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Palestine's population has decreased from 25.7% to 24.0%.

Palestine is more Hispanic than neighboring Elkhart (10.8% Hispanic), Neches (7.7% Hispanic), Oakwood (1.1% Hispanic), Grapeland (6.1% Hispanic), and Poynor (6% Hispanic).

Palestine's Native American/Other Population

189 residents of Palestine, or 1.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Palestine is comparable to the share in Texas overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Palestine ranks 805th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,863 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Palestine's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 44.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Palestine's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Palestine is more Native American/Other than neighboring Elkhart (0% Native American/Other), Neches (0% Native American/Other), Oakwood (0% Native American/Other), and Poynor (0% Native American/Other). Palestine is less Native American/Other than neighboring Grapeland (2.6% Native American/Other).

Palestine's Multiracial Population

454 residents of Palestine, or 2.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Palestine is comparable to the share in Texas overall, where 3.1% of the population is Multiracial. Palestine ranks 848th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,863 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Palestine's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 24.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Palestine's population has decreased from 3.2% to 2.4%.

Palestine is more Multiracial than neighboring Neches (2.3% Multiracial). Palestine is less Multiracial than neighboring Elkhart (3.8% Multiracial), Oakwood (4.6% Multiracial), Grapeland (3% Multiracial), and Poynor (4.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.