White County, Indiana
The most common soil here is Rensselaer, on about 14% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Gilford and Wolcott come next.
About 17% of the land drains well, and 76% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 76% of it.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 82% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% 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 White 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 White 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilford fine sandy loam, outwash plain, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 38K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wolcott clay loam | 34K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rensselaer clay loam | 28K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maumee loamy fine sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 20K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Conover loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seafield fine sandy loam | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rensselaer loam, sandy substratum | 13K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Morocco fine sand | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Martinsville silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pella silty clay loam | 12K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chelsea fine sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Whitaker silt loam | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Darroch silt loam | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brems loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Oakville fine sand, wet substratum, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Martinsville silt loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Aubbeenaubbee fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elliott silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chelsea fine sand, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Alvin fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | A | Not 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 82% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 98% 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.