Jefferson County, Florida
The most common soil here is Orangeburg, on about 10% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Chaires and Surrency come next.
About 36% of the land drains well, and 57% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 55% of it.
USDA rates 84% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 58% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 25% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 9% 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 Jefferson 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 B/D (varies with drainage). 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 Jefferson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surrency fine sand | 33K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dothan loamy fine sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Chaires-Chaires, wet, fine sands, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 27K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Orangeburg sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Fuquay fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Plummer fine sand | 21K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pelham fine sand | 20K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nutall-Tooles fine sands, frequently flooded | 19K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tooles-Tooles, depressional-Chaires, depressional, fine sands | 18K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Albany sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nutall-Tooles complex | 14K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pamlico-Dorovan mucks | 13K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Orangeburg sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 13K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lucy loamy fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 9K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Leefield fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blanton fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Faceville fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sapelo fine sand | 6K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Plummer fine sand, frequently flooded | 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 58% 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 84% 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.