Soil survey area

Hinds County, Mississippi

Survey Area MS049• Mississippi

The short version

The most common soil here is Memphis, on about 22% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Loring and Riedtown come next.

About 31% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 50% of it.

USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 89% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 26% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Hinds County, Mississippi, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Memphis

22% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Loring

20% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Riedtown

11% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Providence

8% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Oaklimeter

8% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Inceptisols

Grenada

3% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Hinds County, Mississippi. 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
Riedtown silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	63K	Moderately well drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Memphis silt loam, 8 to 17 percent slopes, eroded	48K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Oaklimeter silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, north	46K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Loring silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded, central	41K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Memphis-Natchez-Riedtown association, hilly	36K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Loring silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded, central	35K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Memphis silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded	28K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Loring silt loam, 8 to 17 percent slopes, eroded	25K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Providence silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, eroded	20K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Memphis silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded, south	19K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Providence silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded	18K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Loring-Urban land complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes	16K	Moderately well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Smithdale-Lexington-Memphis association, hilly	16K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Memphis silt loam, 8 to 17 percent slopes, severely eroded	13K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
McRaven silt loam	12K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Providence-Smithdale association, hilly	11K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Grenada silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes	9K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cascilla-Chenneby association	8K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Water	8K			Not rated	Not rated
Calloway silt loam	7K	Somewhat poorly drained	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.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 89% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 89% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

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.

Look Up a Specific Address