Jackson County, Alabama
The most common soil here is Barfield, on about 17% of the land: a silty clay loam, smooth and slightly sticky. Gorgas and Nauvoo come next.
About 74% of the land drains well, and 10% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 17% of it.
USDA rates 79% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 76% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 10% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 49% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Jackson County, Alabama, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Jackson County, Alabama. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limestone rockland rough | 121K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rough stony land, Muskingum soil material | 84K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nauvoo fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wynnville-Nauvoo fine sandy loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 37K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 37K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Muskingum (Gorgas) stony fine sandy loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes, very stony | 25K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hartsells fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, shallow | 24K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Muskingum (Gorgas) fine sandy loam, 10 to 20 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Limestone rockland, hilly | 18K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Melvin silty clay loam | 14K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hartsells-Nauvoo complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Palmerdale soils, hilly | 10K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Melvin silt loam | 10K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Muskingum (Gorgas) stony fine sandy loam, 20 to 45 percent slopes, very stony | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rolling stony land, Colbert soil material | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wynnville fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Philo-Atkins silt loams | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rolling stony land, Muskingum soil material | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lindside silt loam | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hartsells fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, shallow | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 76% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 79% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.