Wayne County, Michigan
The most common soil here is Tedrow, on about 6% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Blount and Pewamo come next.
About 8% of the land drains well, and 71% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 52% of it.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 54% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% 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 Wayne County, Michigan, 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 poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Wayne County, Michigan. 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-Riverfront complex, dense substratum, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 18K | D | Not limited | Not limited | |
| Blount loam, Erie-Huron Lake Plain, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 17K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pewamo loam | 17K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Thetford loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 17K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tedrow loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 15K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Granby loamy fine sand | 12K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Riverfront complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 11K | D | Not limited | Not limited | |
| Cut and fill land | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Selfridge loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shebeon-Urban land complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Shebeon-Urban land-Avoca complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Metamora sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Blount-Urban land complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nappanee silt loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kibbie-Urban land complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ziegenfuss clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tedrow loamy fine sand, loamy substratum, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Belleville loamy fine sand | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilford sandy loam | 6K | Poorly drained | A/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 54% 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 82% 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.