Franklin County, Florida
The most common soil here is Scranton, on about 8% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Rutlege and Apalachicola come next.
About under 1% of the land drains well, and 36% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 48% of it.
USDA rates 38% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 35% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 21% 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 Franklin 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 Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/D (varies with drainage). 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 Franklin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waters of the Gulf of America | 442K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Scranton fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 47K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rutlege fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 39K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scranton sand, slough | 30K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Plummer fine sand | 26K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leon sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 25K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Apalachicola clay loam, 2 to 3 meter water depth | 21K | Subaqueous | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Pickney-Pamlico complex, depressional | 17K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Apalachicola clay loam, 1 to 2 meter water depth | 17K | Subaqueous | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Amtrac fine sand, 2 to 3 meter water depth | 16K | Subaqueous | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Surrency fine sand | 12K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Meadowbrook sand | 10K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lynn Haven sand | 9K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Meadowbrook sand, slough | 8K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pamlico-Pickney complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 8K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Romalea-Opilwa-Maurepas complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 8K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Amtrac fine sand, 1 to 2 meter water depth | 7K | Subaqueous | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Water | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Eastpoint shelly fine sand, 0 to 1 meter water depth | 6K | Subaqueous | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Duckston-Rutlege-Corolla complex | 6K | 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 35% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 38% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
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.