County Overview

Anderson County was created from a portion of Houston County in 1846 and named for Kenneth Lewis Anderson, Vice-President of Texas from 1844 until annexation by the United States. Anderson County is made up of wooded, rolling hills marked by a mineral ridge which divides the 1.068 square miles. Palestine is the county seat with Elkhart and Frankston being other incorporated towns. In addition, several communities encourage a strong sense of belonging among residents.

The 2017 population of Anderson County is 57,741. There are seven school districts in the county. Trinity Valley Community College has a campus just outside Palestine, and The University of Texas at Tyler has an extension campus with concentration on nursing classes.

Palestine and Anderson County are enhanced by numerous older homes and buildings. In addition to these historical attractions, the county is home to the Palestine depot of the Texas State Railroad. The Museum for East Texas Culture is a growing attraction for visitors and locals.