[4] The early history of Georgetown County is closely tied to South Carolina's population growth.

By an Act passed in 1768, the Province of South Carolina abolished its many counties and implemented just seven large districts with corresponding judicial seats.

[5] To be specific, there were too few government officials to have county circuit courts, consider and legislate local issues, and execute the law.

Although the districts de facto began in 1768, they only received their official charters in 1769, after approval by the British Parliament of a modified provincial Act.

The legislative processes instituted by the post-Civil War state constitution provided for a fundamental decentralization of power from state to local control, so the districts were renamed counties – Georgetown District became Georgetown County in 1868.

The Santee River, which forms the southern boundary of the county, empties directly into the Atlantic Ocean.

The rivers and the bay have had a decisive effect on human development of the area, especially as the city of Georgetown has an excellent seaport and harbor.

The Georgetown County part of the Grand Strand used to be rural area, but is exploding with development today.

Condos line the shoreline at Litchfield and many of the old cottages at Pawleys are being demolished for larger houses.

A few wilder areas are being saved, as these provide critical habitat as part of the Atlantic Flyway for migratory birds.

The islands around the outlet of Winyah Bay are designated as the "Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center Heritage Preserve".

This area is home to the northernmost naturally occurring hammocks of South Carolina's signature sabal palmetto tree.

After the Civil War, and the loss of slave labor, the plantations gradually ceased production.

In some areas, the earthworks, such as dikes and water gates used for rice culture, still exist, as well as a few of the plantation houses.

Litchfield Plantation has been redeveloped as a country inn; other properties have been developed as planned residential communities.

The Federal government bought land along the rivers for the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, which is intended to protect such wild areas.

The visitor center and headquarters of the refuge is located at Yauhannah in the northern part of the county.

Yachting "snowbirds" are often seen at the docks in spring and fall; these people follow the seasons along the Intracoastal waterway.

Carvers Bay, the largest, was extensively damaged by use as a practice bombing range by US military forces during World War II.

[27] Some of the largest employers in the county include AGRU, Food Lion, International Paper, ScribeAmerica, and Walmart.