FACTBOX: Sarah Palin, Republican vice presidential candidate

(Reuters) - Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin debates her Democratic rival, Joe Biden, on Thursday in their only face-off before the November 4 presidential election.

Following are some biographical details for Palin, a little-known Alaska governor before she was chosen as John McCain's running mate:

Age: 44

Birth date: February 11, 1964

Birthplace: Sandpoint, Idaho

Education: University of Idaho

Husband: Todd Palin

Children: Two sons and three daughters

Religious affiliation: Has attended nondenominational Wasilla Bible Church in recent years; previously attended Wasilla Assembly of God, a Pentecostal church

Family: Palin moved to Alaska with her parents, a teacher and school secretary, when she was an infant. She grew up in Wasilla, a town of nearly 10,000 near Anchorage.

Palin was a member of the state champion girls basketball team, where she earned the nickname "Sarah Barracuda" for her aggressive play. She was crowned Miss Wasilla in a 1982 beauty pageant and later competed in the Miss Alaska contest.

Palin graduated in 1987 from the University of Idaho with a degree in journalism and political science and eloped with her high school boyfriend in 1988 to avoid the cost of a wedding.

The couple have five children -- two sons and three daughters. The eldest son, Track, deployed to Iraq with the U.S. Army in September. The youngest, son Trig, was born in April with Down syndrome.

Career: After her graduation and marriage, Palin worked as a television sports reporter from 1987 to 1989. She also worked in the family's commercial fishing business and was the owner of a snowmobile, watercraft and all-terrain vehicle business.

Elective office/public service: Palin was elected to the Wasilla City Council in 1992. She served two terms on the council and was elected mayor for two terms. She gained the attention of Republican Party officials by promoting growth and cutting property taxes.

Palin ran for lieutenant governor in 2002 but lost. After actively campaigning for the Republican ticket under Frank Murkowski, she was appointed to the panel that regulates the state's oil and gas industry.