Lamar County, Mississippi
The most common soil here is McLaurin, on about 35% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Prentiss and Freest come next.
About 50% of the land drains well, and 14% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 13% of it.
USDA rates 51% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 48% 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.
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 Lamar County, Mississippi, 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 B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. 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 Lamar 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLaurin-Lucy association, rolling | 70K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| McLaurin fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Freestone-McLaurin-Susquehanna association, rolling (freest-mclaurin-susquehanna) | 43K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Freestone, Susquehanna, and Prentiss soils, 5 to 12 percent slopes (freest, susquehanna and prentiss) | 34K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Trebloc and Osier soils | 26K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Prentiss fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| McLaurin and Cahaba soils, 8 to 12 percent slopes (heidel, smithdale) | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| McLaurin fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Baxterville fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dorovan and Pamlico mucks (dorovan and croatan) | 5K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Basin fine sandy loam | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Prentiss fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Prentiss fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Susquehanna silt loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Falkner silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, lower coastal plain | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 3K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Susquehanna silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Latonia fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Benndale fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Lakeland sand, 2 to 12 percent slopes | 2K | Excessively 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 48% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 51% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.