Bulloch County, Georgia
The most common soil here is Pelham, on about 15% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Fuquay and Tifton come next.
About 47% of the land drains well, and 47% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 38% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 49% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 31% 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 Bulloch County, Georgia, 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Bulloch County, Georgia. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelham loamy sand | 62K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fuquay loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 41K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tifton loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Leefield loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 37K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bladen (Chastain) and Rains (Kinston) soils and swamp (Bibb) | 28K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lakeland sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 24K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Rutlege (Johnston) and Portsmouth (Kinston) soils and alluvial land (Osier) | 24K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fuquay loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tifton loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rutlege (Ellabelle) sand | 16K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Albany sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stilson loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cowarts loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Plummer sand | 9K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dothan loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 7K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Tifton sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kershaw coarse sand, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Chipley sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lakeland sand, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | 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 49% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 93% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.