Clay County, Florida
The most common soil here is Leon, on about 11% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Penney and Hurricane come next.
About 15% of the land drains well, and 68% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 51% of it.
USDA rates 90% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 59% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 15% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Clay County, Florida, 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Clay County, Florida. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 43K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 33K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Hurricane fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 31K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Penney fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 26K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rutlege-Osier complex, frequently flooded | 24K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ortega fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 23K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sapelo fine sand | 18K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pottsburg fine sand | 17K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kershaw sand, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 15K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Mandarin fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ridgewood fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Albany fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Centenary fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pelham fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allanton fine sand, frequently flooded | 8K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Allanton and Rutlege mucky fine sands, depressional | 8K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Neilhurst fine sand, undulating | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Blanton fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Meggett fine sandy loam | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maurepas muck, frequently flooded | 6K | Very poorly drained | A/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 59% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 90% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.