Pinellas County, Florida
The most common soil here is Myakka, on about 11% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Astatula and Matlacha come next.
About 10% of the land drains well, and 56% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 43% of it.
USDA rates 71% 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: 4% 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 Pinellas 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/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 Pinellas 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myakka soils and Urban land | 51K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Waters of the Gulf of America | 46K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Matlacha and St. Augustine soils and Urban land | 22K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Astatula soils and Urban land, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 17K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tavares fine sand-Urban land complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Immokalee soils and Urban land | 10K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wabasso soils and Urban land | 8K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kesson fine sand, very frequently flooded | 5K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pomello soils and Urban land, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Urban land, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Pineda soils and Urban land | 5K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| EauGallie soils and Urban land | 4K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Adamsville soils and Urban land, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 2K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Palm Beach fine sand, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 2K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Beaches | 2K | Poorly drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Pinellas soils and Urban land | 2K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Felda fine sand, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 2K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Samsula muck, frequently ponded, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 1K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Astatula soils and Urban land, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 1K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat 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 71% 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.