Sumter County, Alabama
The most common soil here is Luverne, on about 12% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Kipling and Demopolis come next.
About 42% of the land drains well, and 35% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 51% of it.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 87% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 29% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 15% 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 Sumter 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 Sumter 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mooreville, Mantachie and Kinston soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 77K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Demopolis-Kipling complex, 3 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 73K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Luverne sandy loam, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 69K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wilcox silty clay, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 52K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Troup and Smithdale soils, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 46K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kipling silty clay loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 35K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sucarnoochee silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 32K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mayhew silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 26K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Annemaine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 26K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Savannah loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kipling loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Demopolis-Sumter complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Houlka silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Smithdale loamy sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Luverne sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Minter clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 9K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Escambia sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wilcox-Luverne complex, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cahaba sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Savannah loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | C/D | 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 87% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 91% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.