Panola County, Texas

Infobox U.S. County
county = Panola County
state = Texas

Panola County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 22,756. Located in East Texas, the county's name is derived from a Native American word for cotton. The seat of the county is CarthageGR|6.

Panola County is one of 46 entirely dry counties in the state of Texas, which means that the sale of alcohol is restricted or prohibited.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 821 square miles (2,127 km²), of which, 801 square miles (2,074 km²) of it is land and 20 square miles (53 km²) of it (2.49%) is water.

Major Highways

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Adjacent counties

*Harrison County (north)
*Caddo Parish, Louisiana (northeast)
*De Soto Parish, Louisiana (east)
*Shelby County (south)
*Rusk County (west)

History

Panola County was formed in 1846 from sections of Harrison County and Shelby County. It was named after a Native American word for cotton. [ [http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/PP/hcp2.html Handbook of Texas Online - PANOLA COUNTY ] ]

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 22,756 people, 8,821 households, and 6,395 families residing in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 10,524 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.78% White, 17.67% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 1.87% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. 3.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,821 households out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out with 25.20% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 15.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,909, and the median income for a family was $37,595. Males had a median income of $31,333 versus $19,017 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,439. About 11.60% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.50% of those under age 18 and 16.10% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Beckville
*Carthage
*Clayton (unincorporated)
*DeBerry (unincorporated)
*Gary City
*Long Branch (unincorporated)
*Mineral Springs
*Murvaul (unincorporated)
*Tatum (mostly in Rusk County)

Education

The following 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)

There is also Panola College, a junior college, which has operated in Carthage since 1947.

Transportation

The TTC-69 component (recommended preferred) of the planned Trans-Texas Corridor goes through Panola County [ [http://ttc.keeptexasmoving.com/projects/i69/detailed_maps_e.aspx TxDoT, TTC Section E, Detailed Maps 1 & 2, 2007-12-21] ] .

References

ee also

*Dry counties

External links

* [http://www.co.panola.tx.us/ Panola County government’s website]
*Handbook of Texas|id=PP/hcp2|name=Panola County
* [http://www.texassafetynetwork.org/issues/wet_dry/map_list/list.php Dry counties in Texas] from the TABC