Williamson County, Texas
27 local notes for Williamson County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. Austin / Central Texas / Hill Country.
See the Round Rock place page ->Money & Taxes
Property Tax Basics
Two Offices Handle Your Property Tax in Williamson County
The appraisal district sets your property's value; the tax office collects the money — and they are separate offices.
Homestead Exemption
Texas Homestead Exemption Cuts Your School Tax Bill
Williamson County homeowners who live in their home can apply for a $140,000 reduction off the value used to figure school taxes.
Age 65 / Disability Exemption
Extra Property Tax Breaks for Seniors and Disabled Homeowners
Homeowners who are 65 or older, or who have a qualifying disability, can get an additional property tax exemption and a school tax freeze.
Disabled Veteran Exemption
Veterans with Service Disabilities Get a Property Tax Break
Texas veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or more qualify for a property tax exemption in Williamson County.
Ag Valuation
Agricultural Valuation Can Sharply Lower Rural Property Taxes
Land used for farming or ranching in Williamson County can be taxed on its productivity value rather than market value, which is usually much lower.
Tax Cap Reset
New Homeowners Lose the Previous Owner's Tax Cap
When you buy a home in Williamson County, the seller's 10% annual assessment cap disappears and your first-year tax bill can jump significantly.
Home & Property
Flood Risk
Flooding Is a Real Risk in Williamson County
Flash flooding regularly affects homes and roads in Williamson County, and FEMA flood maps were last updated in 2019.
Floodplain Permit
You Need a Permit to Build Near a Floodplain in Unincorporated Areas
Building or improving property near a 100-year floodplain in unincorporated Williamson County requires a county permit.
Geography & Terrain
A Geological Divide Splits Williamson County in Two
The Balcones Escarpment runs through Williamson County, separating rocky Hill Country terrain in the west from flat blackland prairie in the east.
Water Supply
LCRA Supplies Raw Water to Several Williamson County Communities
The Lower Colorado River Authority is authorized to transfer up to 25,000 acre-feet of water annually into Williamson County under a state law.
Water & Flood
Brushy Creek Is Both a Flood Risk and a Water Supply Source
The Brushy Creek watershed in central and eastern Williamson County is managed by the Upper Brushy Creek Water Control and Improvement District, which oversees flood control.
Weather Hazards
Williamson County Gets Hot Summers and Significant Hail Storms
Williamson County averages a July high of about 96°F and gets roughly 34 inches of rain per year, with severe thunderstorms and hail common in spring.
Cars & Driving
Outdoors
Lake Recreation
Lake Georgetown Offers Fishing, Camping, and Hiking
Lake Georgetown is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake on the North Fork of the San Gabriel River, about 3.5 miles northwest of Georgetown, with camping, boating, and fishing.
Hunting Regulations
Deer Hunting Rules Differ on Each Side of I-35 in Williamson County
TPWD sets different white-tailed deer bag limits for the east and west sides of Interstate 35 in Williamson County.
Turkey Hunting
Turkey Season Only Applies West of I-35 in Williamson County
Wild turkey hunting is only open in the western part of Williamson County — west of Interstate 35 — with both fall and spring seasons available.
Waterways
The San Gabriel River Is the Only River in Williamson County
The San Gabriel River runs through the center of Williamson County and is the county's only river, flowing through Georgetown and feeding Lake Georgetown.
Fishing
Brushy Creek in Williamson County Has Recorded Sport Fish Catches
Brushy Creek in Williamson County is a recorded sport fishing waterbody tracked in TPWD's all-tackle records.
Rules & Licenses
Jurisdiction Basics
Where You Live in Williamson County — City, ETJ, or Unincorporated — Matters
Your property's location — inside a city, in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction, or in unincorporated county land — determines which rules and services apply to you.
Hunting License
You Need a Texas Hunting License to Hunt in Williamson County
All hunters in Williamson County — resident or nonresident — must have a valid Texas hunting license from TPWD before taking any game.
History & Culture
County History
Williamson County Was Established in 1848 and Named for a Colorful Judge
The Texas Legislature created Williamson County on March 13, 1848, naming it for Robert M. Williamson, a judge, soldier, and early Texas leader.
County Seat History
Georgetown Was Named for a Land Donor, Not the President
Georgetown, the Williamson County seat, was founded in 1848 and named for George Washington Glasscock, who donated land for the townsite.
Education & History
Southwestern University Has Been in Georgetown Since 1873
Southwestern University, a private liberal arts school, has operated in Georgetown since 1873 and helped shape the town's identity.
Agricultural History
Cotton Once Dominated Williamson County's Economy
Williamson County was one of Texas's top cotton-producing counties in the late 1800s, with production peaking at over 80,000 bales in 1900.
Cities & Growth
Round Rock Is the Largest City in Williamson County
Round Rock, in the southern part of the county, is its largest city with over 110,000 residents — larger than the county seat of Georgetown.
Indigenous History
The Tonkawa People Lived Along the San Gabriel Before Anglo Settlement
Tonkawa people had a village near what is now Georgetown before Anglo settlers arrived in the 1830s and 1840s.
County Overview
Williamson County Covers 1,137 Square Miles and Has Nearly 500,000 Residents
Williamson County is a large Central Texas county at 1,137 square miles, with a population that has grown dramatically since the 1970s due to Austin's expansion.