Liberty County, Florida
The most common soil here is Plummer, on about 11% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Rutlege and Lakeland come next.
About 14% of the land drains well, and 81% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 77% of it.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 85% 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.
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 Liberty 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 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 Liberty 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutlege and Plummer soils, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 67K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Plummer, Sapelo and Pottsburg sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 61K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rutlege, Bibb and Surrency soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 47K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lakeland sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 34K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Surrency, Pantego, and Croatan soils, depressional | 26K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Torhunta-Lynn Haven-Croatan complex, frequently flooded | 24K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brickyard clay loam, frequently flooded | 20K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wahee and Ochlockonee soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hurricane, Leon, and Albany soils | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rains and Bladen soils | 16K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elloree, Bibb, and Meggett soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 15K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pickney, Dorovan, and Bibb soils, frequently flooded | 15K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Albany sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Plummer and Pelham soils | 11K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodington loamy sand | 9K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Foxworth sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Chipley-Foxworth complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leon sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pottsburg-Pottsburg, wet, sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Goldsboro loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately 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 85% 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 99% 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.