Williamson County is located north of Travis County, the location of Austin, the TX state capital. Known for its high-tech enterprises, agribusinesses, and education, Williamson County is one of the most promising business environments in TX. The county has low unemployment rates, a well-educated workforce, reasonable wages, high standards of living, low cost of living, little crime, low taxes, and sunny days in most areas.
For these reasons, the job market in Georgetown, Cedar Park, and Round Rock is expected to increase as much as 60% in the next five years, almost six times the national average. In recent years the number of jobs in Williamson County has been increasing nearly four times the national average. In 2005, Williamson County’s median family income was nearly $30,000 above the national average in the US. In fact, the county’s ranks among the top 100 counties in the United States (U.S.) for median household income.
Major industries in Williamson County include electronics and semiconductor manufacturing and support, insurance, plastics, minerals, transportation equipment, tourism, and agriculture businesses. Leading high-tech companies, such as Dell Computer, Cypress Semiconductor, Motorola, IBM, AMD, TI and Samsung, have invested heavily in Williamson County and continue to do so.
Since Williamson County was established in 1848, its economy and population has grown dramatically ever since. Williamson County ranks 14th among the fastest-growing counties in the United States of America. From April 2001 to July 2005, its population grew 30 percent – from 249,968 to 317,939. Projections show its population will easily double in 20 years. By 2031, the population is estimated to exceed 650,000, and between 2001 and 2041 it is expected to grow by more than 550,000 (225%). The population density has grown to more than 300 persons per square mile.
With fertile black soil on the east side, and scenic limestone hills on the west side, divided by the Balcones Escarpment and nourished by the San Gabriel River and its tributaries, Williamson County’s attractions include Lake Georgetown, Granger Lake, and Inner Space Cavern. Williamson County is traversed by five major highways and four railroads in the county limits.
Almost one-third of Williamson County, mostly on the east side, is prime farmland, though much of it is being developed for business and residential uses as the population grows. Beef and livestock are still profitable agricultural sectors in the area. The leading crops grown are corn, oats, sorghum, cotton, and wheat. The county produces oil, natural gas, sand, gravel, dolomite, and several limestone products in the area.
The largest cities in Williamson County are Georgetown, Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Taylor, TX. Towns such as Hutto, Jarrell, Leander and Liberty Hill are growing quickly as well and continue to do so. Other communities include Anderson Mill, Andice, Bartlett, Brushy Creek, Coupland, Florence, Granger, Jollyville, Liberty Hill, Pflugerville, San Gabriel, Schwertner, Thorndale, Thrall, Walburg and Weir, just to name a few.
Georgetown, in the center of Williamson County but only 26 minutes north of Austin, TX, is the county seat. Important business sectors in its economy are manufacturing, tourism, mining, and agriculture, and others. Some of its largest employers include Southwestern University, Georgetown Healthcare System, Airborn Inc., Sun City (Del Webb) and Wesleyan Homes, just to name a few.
Round Rock’s economy includes manufacturing, tourism, and distribution among others. Some of its largest employers include Dell Computers, the Round Rock Medical Center, the Round Rock Independent School District, and the Texas Baptist Children’s Home, and more.
Cedar Park’s attractions include nearby Lakeline Mall and Austin Community College (ACC). Some of its largest employers include ETS Lindgren, MD/TOTCO, Baker Drywall Company, and CoreSlab Structures, all in the area.
Taylor is the industrial hub of the eastern part of Williamson county. It features agribusiness publishing centers, various manufacturing plants that process cottonseed plus meat, and furniture suppliers. Some of its largest employers include ERCOT, Carpenter- Morning Glory, Laboratory Tops, Johns Community Hospital, and Temple College, just to name a few.