Williamson County /

Williamson County is a county located in the southern part of the U.S. state of Illinois in the area known as Little Egypt. In the 19th century it was the site of a ten-year long feud known as the Bloody Vendetta that claimed many lives. As of 2000, the population was 61,296. Its county seat is Marion, Illinois. Williamson is a rapidly growing county in the Metro Lakeland area and is located 88 miles (142 km) southeast of St. Louis, MO. Its location at the intersection of Interstate 57, Interstate 24, and Illinois Route 13, a main east-west 4-lane expressway, gives it access to the major communities of Murphysboro, Carbondale, Carterville, Herrin, Marion, and Harrisburg, IL. Although the Williamson County population is only 61,296, it is located in the heart of the Metro Lakeland area of Jackson-Williamson Counties where 120,000 citizens of Illinois make their home. Carbondale (14 miles west), Herrin and Marion are the key urban areas in Metro Lakeland, with a combined population of over 65,000. Over 235,000 people live within 35 miles (56 km). According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 444.38 square miles (1,150.9 km), of which 423.41 square miles (1,096.6 km)