Pitt County, North Carolina
The most common soil here is Rains, on about 8% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Exum and Lynchburg come next.
About 18% of the land drains well, and 63% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 63% of it.
USDA rates 86% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 86% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 10% 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 Pitt County, North Carolina, 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). 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 Pitt County, North Carolina. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exum fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 32K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coxville fine sandy loam | 29K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wagram loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bibb complex | 25K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rains fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Atlantic Coast Flatwoods | 23K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bladen fine sandy loam | 22K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lenoir loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lynchburg fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Atlantic Coast Flatwoods | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ocilla loamy fine sand, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leaf silt loam | 18K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rains fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Southern Coastal Plain | 14K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Portsmouth loam | 12K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Norfolk sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Alaga loamy sand, banded substratum, 0 to 6 percent slopes (Alpin) | 12K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lynchburg fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Southern Coastal Plain | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Goldsboro sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roanoke silt loam | 11K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Byars loam | 10K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tuckerman fine sandy loam (Yonges) | 9K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pantego loam | 9K | Very poorly drained | B/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 86% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 86% 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.