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Walterboro is a city in Colleton County, South Carolina, United States. The city's population was 5,398 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Colleton County. Walterboro is located 48 mile (77 km) west of Charleston and is located near the ACE Basin region in the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Walterboro (original spelling: Walterborough) was founded in 1783, as a summer retreat for local planters looking to escape their malaria ridden, Lowcountry plantations. The original settlement was located on a hilly area, covered with pine and hickory trees and called Hickory Valley. Two of the earliest settlers were brothers, Paul and Jacob Walter. The brothers were prosperous, plantation owners, in nearby Jacksonboro. Paul's small daughter Mary, was taken ill with malaria; a common disease among the families who had plantations in the marshy areas of the Lowcountry, due to the grounds suitability for rice production. To prevent Mary from succumbing to the deadly microbe, the Walter brothers went looking for a healthier location in which to live during the summer months, and came to settle the town; with its later being named in their honor. In 1817, Walterboro was designated as the third county seat of Colleton County, and has remained such through present day. This designation was followed by, the construction of a county courthouse and county jail in 1821. The courthouse was designed by well known architect Robert Mills. The town quickly spread from the original Hickory Valley location, after its population experienced a significant increase; this being fueled successively by, the town becoming the county seat in 1821, and the establishment of a railroad line that connected the city with Columbia and Charleston in the 1880s. In 1832, the Irish Catholic community in rural southern Waltersboro (at one point termed Thompson's Crossroads) established a parish called St. James the Greater Catholic Church, dedicated by Bishop John England. The community later was known as Catholic Hill. After the church was burned down in 1856, and the emancipation of the slaves roughly a decade later, the White community largely left the area. The Black Catholic community maintained their religion for decades without a priest, before a new church was built for them in the 1890s. They became notable in the media in the 21st century, and a documentary on the community was released in 2020. An airfield was established in the 1930s. In 1942, Walterboro became home to the Walterboro Army Airfield, a sub base of Columbia Army Air Base, and part of the national network of army air training facilities erected across the U. S. during World War II. The base was established for the purpose of providing advanced air combat training, to fighter and bomber groups. It also hosted the largest camouflage school in the United States, as well as, a 250 person prisoner of war camp. In 1944, the airfield changed command and became an advanced combat training base for individual fighters, primarily the black trainees graduating from Tuskegee Army Airfield in Tuskegee, Alabama. Over 500 of the famed Tuskegee Airmen trained at Walterboro Army Airfield, between April 1944 and October 1945, including individuals training as replacement pilots for the 332nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron, along with the entire 447th Bombardment Group. The base closed in October 1945, returning to its origins as a local airfield. The establishment of Interstate 95 in the 1960s, made the town a prime overnight stop on the road to Florida or New York. Presently, Walterboro is dotted with historic homes dating back to 1820, and a downtown area that has kept many of its historic buildings. The city has become increasingly known as an antiquing destination, and is a popular day trip from Charleston and Beaufort.

Walterboro is geographically located slightly north to the center of Colleton County at (32.904289, −80.666238). Interstate 95 passes west of the city, leading northeast 110 mile (177 km) to Florence, and southwest 67 mile (108 km) to Savannah, Georgia. The southern terminus of U. S. Route 15 is situated in the center of Walterboro; leading northward, running roughly parallel to I 95, reaching St. George in 21 mile (34 km). U. S. Route 17 Alt leads east from US 15, 32 mile (51 km) to Summerville, within the Charleston vicinity, and southwest 21 mile (34 km) to Yemassee. South Carolina Highway 64 leads northwest, past Exit 57 on I 95, 25 mile (40 km) to Ehrhardt, and southeast 16 mile (26 km) to Jacksonboro. According to the United States Census Bureau, Walterboro has a total area of , consisting solely of landmass.

The Colleton County Rice Festival is held annually at the end of April, to celebrate the county's history with the rice crop, the staple crop until the American Civil War. Post Civil war, during the Reconstruction era, rice crops still had an important impact on the county. The 2023 festival was the 48th year it has taken place. Each festival hosts a parade, live music, a pageant, run/walk, along with a cooking contest. The Rice Festival is typically, a two day event, held on a Friday and Saturday.

The Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest estuarine sanctuary on the East Coast of the United States. Made up of hardwood forest and "braided creek" systems, the Sanctuary includes boardwalks, walking trails, bicycle paths, a canoe/kayak trail, observation areas, and a Discovery Center is currently being built. Upon completion, the Sanctuary will be the most significant nature based facility in the lower part of South Carolina. It is open every day from dawn until dusk and is free. It is located on Detreville Street in Walterboro.

The South Carolina Artisans Center is the official folk art and craft center of the state. Located on Wichman Street in downtown Walterboro, it is open to the public and free of admission charge. It is open to the public, from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday; remaining closed only on Sundays.

+Walterboro racial compositionRaceNum. Perc. White (non Hispanic)2,35442.46%Black or African American (non Hispanic)2,66448.05%Native American160.29%Asian971.75%Pacific Islander10.02%Other/Mixed2013.63%Hispanic or Latino2113.81%
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,544 people, 2,569 households, and 1,265 families residing in the city.

As of, the 2010 U. S. census,

Walterboro is in the Colleton County School District. Walterboro has several public and private schools in its surrounding area. There are five public elementary schools (Bells Elementary, Cottageville Elementary, Hendersonville Elementary, Forest Hills Elementary, and Northside Elementary, one public middle school (Colleton County Middle School), and one public high school (Colleton County High School). There are two private K 12 schools: Colleton Preparatory Academy and North Walterboro Christian Academy. The University of South Carolina Salkehatchie is the city's local university and Clemson University has a county extension office in the city. Walterboro has a public library branch of the Colleton County Library System.

Walterboro is accessible from Interstate 95 (access at exits 53 and 57), where lodging, dining, and gas station facilities make it a popular stopping point for travelers. Other roads of importance include U. S. Highway 15, Alternate U. S. Highway 17, and several state highways. The Lowcountry Regional Airport provides general aviation services to Walterboro and Colleton County.