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Panola County, Texas facts for kids

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Panola County
The Panola County Courthouse in Carthage
The Panola County Courthouse in Carthage
Map of Texas highlighting Panola County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Texas
Founded 1846
Seat Carthage
Largest city Carthage
Area
 • Total 821 sq mi (2,130 km2)
 • Land 802 sq mi (2,080 km2)
 • Water 20 sq mi (50 km2)  2.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 22,491
 • Density 27.395/sq mi (10.577/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 1st

Panola County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 22,491. The county seat is Carthage. Located in East Texas and originally developed for cotton plantations, the county's name is derived from a Choctaw word for cotton.

Until 2013, Panola County was one of about 30 entirely dry counties in Texas: the sale of alcohol was restricted or prohibited. In 2013, local options for alcohol sales were added to the November election ballots and passed, permitting the sale of beer and wine in stores and the sale of mixed beverages at restaurants.

History

Panola County was formed in 1846 from sections of Harrison and Shelby Counties. It was named after a Choctaw/Chickasaw word for cotton.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 821 square miles (2,130 km2), of which 802 square miles (2,080 km2) is land and 20 square miles (52 km2) (2.4%) is covered by water.

Major highways

  • US 59.svg U.S. Highway 59
    • I-369.svg The future route of Interstate 369 is planned to follow the current route of U.S. 59 in most places.
  • US 79.svg U.S. Highway 79
  • Texas 43.svg State Highway 43
  • Texas 149.svg State Highway 149
  • Texas 315.svg State Highway 315
  • Texas FM 10.svg Farm to Market Road 10
  • Texas FM 31.svg Farm to Market Road 31
  • Texas FM 124.svg Farm to Market Road 124
  • Texas FM 1970.svg Farm to Market Road 1970

The TTC-69 component (recommended preferred) of the once-planned Trans-Texas Corridor went through Panola County.

Adjacent counties and parishes

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1850 3,871
1860 8,475 118.9%
1870 10,119 19.4%
1880 12,219 20.8%
1890 14,328 17.3%
1900 21,404 49.4%
1910 20,424 −4.6%
1920 21,755 6.5%
1930 24,063 10.6%
1940 22,513 −6.4%
1950 19,250 −14.5%
1960 16,870 −12.4%
1970 15,894 −5.8%
1980 20,724 30.4%
1990 22,035 6.3%
2000 22,756 3.3%
2010 23,796 4.6%
2020 22,491 −5.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
1850–2010 2010–2020

2020 census

Panola County, Texas - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 17,521 16,098 73.63% 71.58%
Black or African American alone (NH) 3,850 3,244 16.18% 14.42%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 84 96 0.35% 0.43%
Asian alone (NH) 72 99 0.30% 0.44%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 3 7 0.01% 0.03%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 24 26 0.10% 0.12%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 272 731 1.14% 3.25%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,970 2,190 8.28% 9.74%
Total 23,796 22,491 100.00% 100.00%

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

Communities

Cities

Town

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Points of Interest

Education

These school districts serve Panola County:

  • Beckville ISD
  • Carthage ISD
  • Elysian Fields ISD (mostly in Harrison County)
  • Gary ISD
  • Joaquin ISD (mostly in Shelby County)
  • Tatum ISD (mostly in Rusk County)
  • Tenaha ISD (mostly in Shelby County)

Panola College, a junior college, has operated in Carthage since 1947.

Notable residents

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Panola (Texas) para niños

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