Burke County, Georgia
The most common soil here is Dothan, on about 18% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Tifton and Troup come next.
About 77% of the land drains well, and 21% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 20% of it.
USDA rates 69% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 22% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 13% 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 Burke 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 Burke 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dothan loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 97K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tifton loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Osier and Bibb soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 37K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fuquay loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Troup fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Grady-Rembert association | 20K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dothan loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Faceville loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rains sandy loam | 18K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonifay fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Orangeburg loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Troup fine sand, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Herod and Muckalee loams | 14K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lucy loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cowarts sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 11K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cowarts loamy sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Faceville sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lucy loamy sand, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Muckalee loam | 9K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Orangeburg sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat 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 22% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 69% 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.