[citation needed] Williamson is in the Metro Lakeland area, 88 miles (142 km) southeast of St. Louis, Missouri.

Via the nearby intersection of Interstates 57 and 24, and Illinois Route 13, a primary east–west four-lane expressway, the city has access to the major communities of Murphysboro, Carbondale, Carterville, Herrin, Marion and Harrisburg.

Carbondale (14 miles west), Herrin and Marion are the key urban areas in Metro Lakeland, with a combined population of more than 65,000.

[3] It became a center of coal mining, attracting numerous European immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Mine owners resisted and several episodes of violence resulted during strikes and other work actions.

Starting on February 1, 1924, the posse began raiding the homes of local mine workers, mostly Italian immigrants.

[5] In June 1915, a Sicilian miner accused of the fatal shooting of a wealthy local resident was lynched in Johnston City, Illinois by a mob.

[6] The Illinois National Guard was deployed to prevent rioting between the miner's supporters and opponents.

On May 8, 2009, the cities of Carterville, Herrin, and Marion were severely damaged by the May 2009 Southern Midwest derecho.

Spring is the wettest season and produces erratic severe weather ranging from tornadoes to winter storms.

Fall is mild with lower humidity and can produce intermittent bouts of heavy rainfall, with the first snow flurries usually forming in late November.

Winter storm systems, such as Alberta clippers and Panhandle hooks, can bring days of heavy freezing rain, ice pellets, and snowfall.

Secondary: Elementary: United States Penitentiary, Marion is located in Southern Precinct in Williamson County.