Williamson County

Williamson County, Texas

What does Williamson County, Texas include?
Williamson County sits just north of Austin and covers about 1,134 square miles. Georgetown is the county seat, Round Rock is its largest city, and it includes Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill and Hutto.

Locals call it "Wilco." It had about 609,000 residents at the 2020 Census and has been one of the fastest-growing parts of the Austin area. For many of my clients, it's where they get more space and newer construction while staying a reasonable drive from Austin.

I-35 splits the county in two. West of the highway you'll find rolling Hill Country terrain. East of it, the land opens into the farmland around Taylor and Granger. Moving from out of town? My Relocating to Austin guide covers the bigger picture.

Williamson County at a glance

Cities and communities in Williamson County

• Round Rock: the county's largest city, with established neighborhoods and newer master-planned communities. Round Rock homes for sale
• Georgetown: the county seat, known for its historic town square and the San Gabriel River. Georgetown homes for sale
• Cedar Park and Leander: northwest of Austin along US 183 and the 183A toll road. Cedar Park · Leander
• Liberty Hill: acreage and new communities on the county's western edge, including Santa Rita Ranch. Liberty Hill area homes
• Hutto and Taylor: east of I-35, with a mix of new construction and small-town character.
• Brushy Creek and northwest Austin: Brushy Creek, plus the Williamson County side of Austin around Avery Ranch. Brushy Creek homes · Avery Ranch
• Smaller towns: Jarrell, Florence, Granger, Bartlett, Thrall, Weir and Coupland, plus part of Pflugerville.

Homes and lifestyle

• Master-planned communities with pools, trails and amenity centers, common in Round Rock, Leander and Liberty Hill.
• New construction across Leander, Liberty Hill, Hutto and Georgetown. Browse new construction homes.
• Acreage and ranch properties in the west and north of the county.
• Historic homes near downtown Georgetown and Taylor.
• Outdoor recreation at Lake Georgetown, Granger Lake and the San Gabriel River trails.

For specific lifestyles in Williamson County, see 55 Plus Communities for Sun City in Georgetown, Farm and Ranch for larger tracts in the eastern and northern parts of the county, and Equestrian Properties for horse property around Liberty Hill.

Getting around

I-35 is the main north-south route through Round Rock and Georgetown. US 183 and the 183A toll road serve Cedar Park and Leander. SH 45 crosses the south end of the county, and SH 130 runs along the east side near Hutto. Most of the county is within a 30 to 45 minute drive of downtown Austin, depending on traffic and where you start.

Property taxes and appraisal

The Williamson Central Appraisal District sets property values, and the Williamson County Tax Office collects the taxes. Your total rate depends on the city, school district and any municipal utility district (MUD) at the address, which is common in newer communities. Ask about the MUD rate on any new-construction home before you write an offer. If you'll live in the home, file your homestead exemption with WCAD.

School districts

Williamson County is served by several school districts, including Round Rock ISD, Leander ISD, Georgetown ISD, Hutto ISD, Liberty Hill ISD, Pflugerville ISD and Taylor ISD. District lines don't follow city lines, so always confirm the district for a specific address with the district itself.

Working with Albert Allen

Albert Allen is an Austin native and Luxury Real Estate Advisor with Compass, with more than a decade of experience helping clients buy and sell across Austin.

Albert represents buyers and sellers across Williamson County, from Round Rock and Cedar Park to Georgetown and Liberty Hill. Schedule a Walk & Talk, request a home valuation or ask about private listings.

Common questions about Williamson County

What is the county seat of Williamson County?

Georgetown is the county seat. Round Rock is the largest city.

Is Cedar Park in Williamson County?

Most of Cedar Park is in Williamson County, and a small part extends into Travis County. Check the county for the specific address when you look at taxes.

What is a MUD tax in Williamson County?

A municipal utility district (MUD) is a special district that funds water, sewer and drainage in many newer neighborhoods. It adds its own rate to the property tax bill, so it's worth checking on every new-construction home.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (2020 Census), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Williamson Central Appraisal District. Albert Allen, REALTOR®, Compass RE Texas, LLC. Information is believed reliable but not guaranteed. Photo: Williamson County Courthouse, Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.