Williamson County is located in Central Texas, just north of Travis County which contains the state capitol of Austin. Physically, the eastern part of the County is level black land soil and the western part rolling limestone hills, all drained by the San Gabriel River and tributaries.  The County was organized in 1848 and named for Robert M. Williamson, pioneer leader and veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto.  The County has a lively history including Comanche's, outlaws, Texas Rangers, the Chisholm Trail, cowboys, and sturdy pioneers.  Today the County is a center for agribusiness, education, and high-tech industry.

Williamson County is blessed with a mild climate offering more than 300 sunny days each year, affordable housing, a low cost of living, clean air, and beautiful scenic vistas.  The County is well known for a very low crime rate and friendly, neighborly people.  County taxes are among the lowest in the state for comparable counties, and, unlike most states, Texas has no state personal income tax.  All these reasons make Williamson County one of the most desirable places to live and work in the US.

Many colleges and universities are located in Williamson County or within 50 miles.

• Austin Community College (Austin, Cedar Park)
• Baylor University (Waco)
• Central Texas College (Killeen)
• Concordia University (Austin)
• Huston-Tillotson University (Austin)
• Round Rock Higher Education Center (Round Rock)
• Southwestern University (Georgetown)
• St. Edward's University (Austin)
• Temple College (Taylor and Temple)
• Texas A&M University (College Station)
• Texas Lutheran College (Seguin)
• Texas State Technical College (Waco)
• Texas State University at San Marcos (San Marcos)
• University of Texas at Austin (Austin)
• University of Mary Hardin Baylor (Belton)

Organized in 1848

Form of Government: A political subdivision of the State of Texas

Area¹: 1,135 square miles (1,123 sq. miles/land; 12 sq. miles/water)

Economic Resources²:

Business:

High-tech industries, agricultural and agribusiness, manufacturing and assembly, construction, real estate, government and educational sectors are significant economic contributors. Williamson County is a member of the Austin MSA, one of the fastest growing areas in the country. The booming population paired with abundant available resources allows a range of business endeavors to flourish.

Recreation

Athletics:       

Round Rock Express (AAA Minor League Baseball team), community athletic leagues including softball, tennis, kickball, baseball, basketball, and aquatics; recreational/fitness centers; golf courses; and numerous running and cycling activities, both competitive and recreational, hosted by Williamson County cities.

Parks & Outdoors:  

Fishing, camping, water sports and wading on Lake Georgetown and Lake Granger; four county parks, including biking and running trails and a disc golf course; numerous city parks and playgrounds; hunting on lands near Lake Granger.

Family & Educational:   

Inner Space Caverns, museums (Williamson County Historical Museum in Georgetown, Dan Moody Museum in Taylor, Palm House Museum in Round Rock) and other historical sites; Hill Country Flyer steam train, Candle Factor.

Community Events:

Williamson County Sheriff Posse Rodeo, Georgetown Red Poppy Festival, Round Rock Daffodil Days, Taylor International Barbecue Cook-off,  and other annual community festivals.

Minerals:

Building stone, sand, gravel and oil

Agriculture³:

The area consists primarily of rolling prairie, however mixed hardwood timber and brush is prevalent in many areas. The major field crops of the area are corn, cotton, and grain sorghum.

In 2005, Williamson County had 94,385 acres of corn which averaged
78 bu/ac, 22,958 acres of grain sorghum which averaged 3696 lbs/ac, 26,000 acres of cotton which averaged 550 lbs/ac and 5,000 acres of wheat which averaged 38 bu/ac. Livestock include cattle, hogs, poultry, sheep, goats, deer leases and cedar post lumber.

Average yearly agricultural income is greater than $79 million.

Sources:      

1. U.S. Census Bureau

2. Economic Development and Parks and Recreation Departments for the Cities of: Georgetown, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Taylor & Hutto

3. Williamson County Agricultural Extension Office

For the latest U.S. Census Bureau county population estimates as of July 2008 with popular comparison tables www.census.gov/popest/estimates.php.

Population: 394,193
Land Area: 1,124.3 sq. miles
Altitude: 454 - 1,265 ft.
Average Rainfall: 34.2 inches/year
January Temperature: 35° F average minimum
July Temperature: 97° F average maximum
Growing season: 258 days

City population estimates are from 2008.

Round Rock (104.446, partly in Travis County) varied manufacturing, tourism, and distribution center, St. David's Round Rock Medical Center, Texas Baptist Children's Home, Seton Williamson, Scott & White.

Cedar Park (62,308) varied retail center including nearby Lakeline Mall and Austin Community College.

Georgetown (49,618) county seat, manufacturing, tourism, mining, agriculture, St. David's Georgetown Hospital, Southwestern University, Sun City.

Taylor (16,090) agribusiness publishing center, varied manufacturing including cottonseed and meat processing, Johns Community Hospital, Temple College and TaylorCNET.

Leander (23,424)

Hutto (13,599)

Pflugerville

Other towns include: Andice, Bartlett (1,731, partly in Bell County), Coupland, Florence (1,129), Granger (1,363), Jarrell (1,447), Liberty Hill (1,533), Thrall (914), Walburg and Weir (648).

There are several large Municipal Utility Districts in Williamson County including:

Anderson Mill: Anderson Mill Municipal Utility District (MUD)

Brushy Creek: http://www.brushycreekmud.com/

Fern Bluff: Fern Bluff Municipal Utility District.