Jefferson County, Kentucky
The most common soil here is Alfic Udarents, on about 10% of the land. Udorthents and Crider come next.
About 39% of the land drains well, and 4% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 14% of it.
USDA rates 43% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 36% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 14% 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 Jefferson County, Kentucky, 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 D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Jefferson County, Kentucky. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban land-Udorthents complex, 0 to 12 percent slopes | 23K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Urban land | 22K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Urban land-Alfic Udarents-Crider complex, 0 to 12 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | Somewhat limited | Not rated | |
| Urban land-Alfic Udarents complex, loamy substratum, 0 to 12 percent slopes | 11K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Urban land-Alfic Udarents complex, clayey substratum-over hard bedrock, 0 to 12 percent slopes | 11K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Water | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Shrouts silt loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes, severely eroded, very rocky | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Udorthents complex, smoothed, 0 to 50 percent slopes | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Crider silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Carpenter silt loam, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beasley silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Faywood-Shrouts-Beasley complex, 25 to 50 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Udarents complex, wet substratum, 0 to 6 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Urban land-Alfic Udarents complex, fragipan substratum-over loamy sediment, 0 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Urban land-Alfic Udarents complex, fragipan substratum-over hard bedrock, 0 to 12 percent slopes | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Nolin silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Alfic Udarents-Nicholson complex, 0 to 12 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Shrouts silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, severely eroded | 3K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Udorthents complex, 0 to 12 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 3K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Bedford silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | 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 36% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 43% 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.