Williamson County, Texas

WILLIAMSON COUNTY TODAY

Throughout history, the inhabitants of Williamson County have incorporated their individual customs and practices into the county’s culture. Early Native Americans bent saplings as signs of water for later inhabitants to use. Spanish settlers and later Texican settlers brought farming and ranching to the county and many of their descendants continue in that tradition.

Subsequent Anglo settlers from the United States worked to break Texas from Mexico’s control, organized the county and determined its name. The African-American population, first brought to the county as slaves prior to 1850, has influenced the county culture through strong communities, schools, and churches. European settlers from Sweden, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Czech Moravia left their cultural influence on the county through religious practices and town names.

It is this varied composition of the people that has made the Williamson County that exists today. The population continues to grow and new businesses and industries look to Williamson County because of its distinct nature. From natural treasures to the diverse nature of its communities, Williamson County holds its individual place in history and in the state of Texas.

THE PEOPLE AND PLACES OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY

Although Williamson County was formally created in 1848, people have inhabited the area for over 10,000 years. The clear waters of the San Gabriel River and its tributaries have attracted to the area prehistoric peoples, pioneering settlers, and more recently, businesses and families seeking a high quality of life. The images included in this exhibit represent the people and communities that have shaped present-day Williamson County.

The Balcones Escarpment, a geological feature that divides the county along the IH-35 corridor, splits the county geographically and ecologically. The eastern half of the county, comprised primarily of fertile, black soil, is excellent for growing cotton, corn, and other crops. West of the interstate, the soil is rockier, more rugged, and better suited for raising livestock, such as goats, sheep, and cattle.

Williamson County has grown steadily since its inception over 150 years ago, with the first census in 1850 recording 1,568 residents. The estimated 2004 population for Williamson County was 317,938, making it the thirteenth most populous county in Texas. Round Rock is currently the largest city in the county, with an estimated 2004 population of 82,040. This recent population shift from rural areas to industrial communities close to IH-35 and the state capital of Austin has greatly impacted Williamson County.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY FLAG

The stars on the flag surrounding the state of Texas represent the thirty-three viable communities identified by Clara Stearns Scarbrough in her 1973 book, Land of Good Water. In 1970, these communities ranged in population from twenty people in Norman’s Crossing to more than 10,000 residents in Taylor. It is difficult to establish how many communities exist in Williamson County today, because the determination of “community” is subjective and without set criteria. However, in Williamson County in 2004, there were eleven towns with populations of over 1,000 people and seven towns with populations above 5,000.

Courtesy of the Williamson County
Commissioner’s Court