Panola County Public RecordsTexas

As of the 2020 Census, Panola County, TX had a population of 22,491. The population was approximately 51% female and 49% male, with a median age of 41.7 years. Racially, the county was 71.3% White (non-Hispanic), 19.6% Black or African American, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 0.4% Asian, and 2.4% identifying as two or more races or other. The age distribution included 21% under 18 and 19% aged 65 or older.

Panola County, TX, had about 15,400 registered voters as of 2023. The county participates in local, state, and federal elections, including primaries—primarily dominated by the Republican Party, which secured over 85% of the vote in the 2020 presidential race. Polling locations include the Carthage Civic Center and local schools. Key issues are school funding and property taxes. Elections are administered by the Panola County Elections Office. The Democratic Party maintains a small presence, winning approximately 13% of recent votes. Early voting and mail-in options are available for eligible residents.

Panola County, TX, has 22 public schools, including Carthage High School, serving around 2,500 K–12 students. About 82% of adults have a high school diploma, but only 12% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The average school rating is 6/10. Panola College offers associate degrees and adult education programs to boost skills and workforce readiness. School safety measures include security officers and controlled campus access. Educational programs feature vocational training, dual-credit courses, and extracurriculars for student success.

As of 2023, Panola County, TX, has an employment rate of approximately 54.4%. Major industries include health care and social assistance (18%), educational services (12%), and retail trade (10%). The leading occupation types are office and administrative support (13%), sales (10%), and management (8%). About 81% of workers commute by car, with a mean travel time of 24 minutes. Most employees work within the county, though around 22% commute to neighboring areas such as Harrison and Rusk counties.

Panola County, TX, has a homeownership rate of approximately 76%, with median home values around $130,000 and median gross rents near $800 (2022). Housing types are predominantly single-family homes, with some mobile homes and limited multifamily units. Popular neighborhoods include Carthage and Beckville, offering rural and small-town living. The real estate market has seen steady appreciation, with values up roughly 7% year-over-year. Property taxes average 1.6% of assessed value, equating to around $2,080 annually for a median-priced home. Rental inventory is limited, with demand outpacing supply, especially in Carthage.

Panola County, TX, reports a relatively low crime rate compared to state averages. In 2022, the county recorded approximately 175 total offenses, with 18 violent crimes (including 3 robberies and 15 aggravated assaults) and 157 property crimes (mainly thefts and burglaries). The crime rate stood at about 1,050 incidents per 100,000 residents, significantly below Texas’s average of 2,800 per 100,000. Reporting is managed by local law enforcement partnering with the Texas Department of Public Safety, ensuring reliable public safety statistics and ongoing community vigilance.