Newton County, Mississippi
The most common soil here is Bibb, on about 18% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Smithdale and Shubuta come next.
About 55% of the land drains well, and 30% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 31% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 60% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 25% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 3% 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 Newton 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 Newton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mantachie soils (bibb) (0 to 2 percent slopes) | 38K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Smithdale fine sandy loam, 12 to 17 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Smithdale fine sandy loam, 8 to 12 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Mantachie very fine sandy loam, local alluvium phase (bibb) (0 to 2 percent slopes) | 21K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bibb fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 15K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shubuta clay loam, severely eroded sloping phase (8 to 12 percent slopes) | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Shubuta fine sandy loam, eroded sloping phase (8 to 12 percent slopes) | 13K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, eroded gently sloping phase (5 to 8 percent slopes) | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ora and Dulac soils, severely eroded gently sloping phases (ora-providence) (5 to 8 percent slopes) | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ora and Dulac soils, eroded gently sloping phases (ora-providence) (5 to 8 percent slopes) | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Smithdale fine sandy loam, 17 to 35 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shubuta fine sandy loam, eroded strongly sloping phase (sweatman) (12 to 17 percent slopes) | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shubuta fine sandy loam, eroded gently sloping phase (5 to 8 percent slopes) | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eutaw (louin)-vaiden clays, very gently sloping phases (0 to 5 percent slopes) | 7K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shubuta clay loam, severely eroded gently sloping phase (5 to 8 | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Prentiss very fine sandy loam, eroded very gently sloping phase | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ora and Dulac soils, eroded very gently sloping phases (ora-providence) (2 to 5 percent slopes) | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ruston fine sandy loam, severely eroded gently sloping phase (5 | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Iuka fine sandy loam (ochlockonee) (0 to 2 percent slopes) | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lauderdale-Boswell complex, strongly sloping and mod steep phases (lauderdale-arundel-sweatman) (12 to 17 percent slopes) | 5K | Well 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 60% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 93% 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.