Houston and Peach Counties, Georgia
The most common soil here is Faceville, on about 22% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Orangeburg and Greenville come next.
About 82% of the land drains well, and 14% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 14% of it.
USDA rates 33% 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: 15% 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 Houston and Peach Counties, 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 Houston and Peach Counties, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alluvial land, wet (Bibb) | 30K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Faceville fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Faceville fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 19K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Faceville fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Norfolk loamy fine sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lucy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Orangeburg loamy fine sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Vaucluse-Hoffman complex, 8 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Orangeburg loamy fine sand, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lakeland fine sand, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 11K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Faceville fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Greenville clay loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Local alluvial land (Ochlockonee) | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chastain and Leaf soils | 8K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lucy sand, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Orangeburg sandy loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded | 8K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Orangeburg sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, severely eroded | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Boswell-Susquehanna-Oktibbeha complex, 5 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Greenville fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Orangeburg loamy fine sand, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | 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 33% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.