Perry County, Indiana
The most common soil here is Adyeville, on about 15% of the land: a very fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Ebal and Tipsaw come next.
About 61% of the land drains well, and 3% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 35% of it.
USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 81% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 11% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 62% of it.
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 Perry County, Indiana, 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 Somewhat excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Perry County, Indiana. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adyeville-Tipsaw-Ebal complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes, very rocky | 80K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ebal-Deuchars-Kitterman complex, 12 to 24 percent slopes, eroded | 25K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Adyeville-Wellston-Deuchars silt loams, 8 to 20 percent slopes, severely eroded | 19K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Adyeville-Wellston-Deuchars silt loams, 8 to 20 percent slopes, eroded | 16K | Somewhat excessively drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Apalona-Zanesville silt loams, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 13K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ebal-Deuchars-Kitterman complex, 12 to 24 percent slopes, severely eroded | 12K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Apalona-Zanesville silt loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Apalona-Zanesville silt loams, 6 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded | 10K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gatchel loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, very brief duration | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Haymond silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded, brief duration | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 3K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Udorthents, cut and filled | 3K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Jubin-Branchville-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes, very bouldery | 2K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Markland silt loam, 18 to 50 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 2K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Markland silty clay loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded, rarely flooded | 2K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stendal silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded, brief duration | 2K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| McAdoo silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded, brief duration | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wakeland silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded, brief duration | 2K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cuba silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded, brief duration | 1K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shircliff silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 1K | Moderately well drained | C/D | 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 81% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 96% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.