Williamsburg

Formed January 1, 1804 (28^th county)

Williamsburg County (31,019), Kingstree (3,245)                

The Greek Revival structure was constructed in 1823.  The building was remodeled in 1883, 1954 and 2013 and enlarged in 1901 and 1954.  Robert Mills is the designer of the courthouse.  The county was organized on January 1, 1804 as the 28^th county.  Kingstree has always been the county seat.  The county is named for Prince William.  Kingstree was named for local trees used for masts on Royal Naval ships.  Williamsburg County is the birthplace for 1 South Carolina Governor, Robert E. McNair, Sr.  The courthouse is on Main Street at Academy Street.  South Carolina State Highway 261 is Main Street.  It features columns and rot iron staircases.  Veteran memorials are on the grounds. 

Williamsburg County government consists of a sheriff and 8 Council Members.  Four Circuit Court Judges and Three Family Court Judges serve Williamsburg, Clarendon, Lee, and Sumter counties.  The county is in eastern South Carolina.  Charleston, South Carolina is south and Columbia, South Carolina is west of the county.  The county center is 13.6 miles East of Kingstree.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Florence, Marion, Georgetown, Berkeley, and Clarendon counties. 

The area of the county is 937 square miles.  It is 8 out of 46 in the state.  It ranks 30 out of 46 in population in the state.  It has a density of 33.1 persons per square mile making it 42 out of 46 in the state.  Williamsburg County has 15.6% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 52 passes north to south through the county from Florence County to Berkeley County.  United States Highway 521 goes southeast to northwest from Georgetown County to Clarendon County.  The county is diamond shaped with the eastern point extending out.  Kingstree is located in the northwest quarter of the county.  Kingstree is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 10.5% of the county population.