PALESTINE CITY DEMOGRAPHICS
Population 2000 2006
Palestine – 17,598 18,607
Anderson County – 55,109 57,580 
Municipal Services
Form of Local Government – Council/Manager
Fire Insurance Rating – Class 4
Full-time Policeman – 36
Full-time Firemen – 39
Fire Stations - 4
Transportation
Major Highways – US 79, 84, 287, TX 19, 155
Interstates– I-45, 35 miles, I-20, 55 miles
Rail – Union Pacific
Motor Freight – 6 carriers located in Palestine
Air– Commercial Air Service – Pounds Field, Tyler, Texas 45 miles, DFW International Airport—120 miles, Houston Intercontinental 150 miles
Public Airport – City of Palestine, 5,000 foot paved runway
Port – Shreveport-Bossier, 130 miles, average depth 9 feet, average width 200 feet
Utilities
Electric – Oncor
Capacity 22,808,000 KW
Gas – Atmos Energy
BTU Content 1,500/cu. Ft.
City of Palestine
Water – Source Neches River/Lake Palestine
Capacity of Plant - 10,000,000 GPD
Average daily usage – 810,000 GPD
Peak Demand – 4,500,000 GPD
Storage Capacity – 4,5000,000 gallons
Pressure on Mains— 30—120 PSI
Sewer – Extended Aerated Activated Sludge
Design Capacity – 2,000,000 GPD
Average Daily Use – 800,000 GPD
Telecommunications—Sprint
PRI ISDN, BRI ISDN, DSL, Dedicated IP, Frame Relay, T1s,
Channelized T1s, DS3, OC3, and OC12.
Average Annual Temperature – 71°
January Average Minimum – 32.2°
July Average Maximum – 92.6°
Average Rainfall – 43.3 inches
Average Snowfall – 0 inches
Prevailing Wind Direction and Speed
South – 8.6 mph
Normal Heating Days – 2,269 (base 65°)
Normal Cooling Days – 2,444 (base 65°)
Growing Season – 200 Days
Labor Market— 2007
Radius of Labor Market – 50 miles—6 Counties
Total Labor Force – 101,584
Total Employed – 97,191
Total Unemployed – 4,393 – 4.3%
Anderson County Unemployment Rate - 4.7%
Average Weekly Wage – $665 4th Qtr 2006
ACCRA Cost of Living – 2nd Qtr 2006— Palestine
Composite – 86.5
Grocery – 97.6 Housing – 67.5
Utilities – 104 Transportation – 90.4
Health Care – 92.2 Misc. Goods – 92.4
Retail Trade— 30 Mile Radius
Trade Area Population – 100,877
Median Age in Trade Area – 37.7
Median Household Income – $36,028
Taxes
Property
City of Palestine –$.62/$100
Anderson County – $.51876/$100
Palestine ISD – $1.6176/$100
Westwood ISD – 1.3337/$100
Trinity Valley CC – .05/$100
Retail Sales Tax
Texas – 6.25%
Local – 2.00%
Sales Tax for Economic Development
Triple Freeport Exemption
Enterprise Zone
State Income Tax—None
Area Events
June 13, 2009 – The Lone Ranger Train Ride™:
Departs Rusk Depot; 11 a.m., 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.;
www.TexasStateRR.com; 888-987-2461
June 20, 2009 – Dogwood Jamboree Presents “All American Country”:
Palestine Civic Center, 1819 Hwy. 19 N & Loop 256; 7-10 p.m.; 903-723-6291 or 903-731-3014;
Tickets available at Palestine Visitor Center, additional locations
June 20, 2009 – NBHA Barrel Racing Event:
Anderson County Youth Livestock Arena; 903-729-8173
July 11, 2009 “Embrace the Arts” at the Museum:
Museum of East Texas Culture, 400 Micheaux; 5-8 p.m.; 903-723-1914
July 17-19, 24-26, 2009 – Beauty and the Beast:
Historic Texas Theater, 213 W. Crawford St.;
7:30 p.m. Fri-Sat/2 p.m. Sun
August 1 , 2009 – “Embrace the Arts” Presents Quarterly Progressive Arts Tour:
Exhibits, Live Music, Refreshments and ART; 5-8 p.m.;
Held at these locations quarterly: Charlene & Associates, 1131 West Oak; Museum of East Texas
Culture, 400 Micheaux; Palestine Public Library, 1101 North Cedar St.; Texas Art Depot, 301
West Oak; 903-723-3014
August 1 , 2009 – Wild West Dinner Train: Rusk Depot; 7:30 p.m.
August 15 , 2009 – Dogwood Jamboree Presents “Pure Country” (See June 20 listing)