Stokes County, North Carolina
The most common soil here is Fairview, on about 28% of the land: a sandy clay loam, gritty but holds together. Poplar Forest and Rhodhiss come next.
About 96% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 87% 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: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 31% 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 Stokes 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 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 Stokes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairview-Poplar Forest complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 68K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rhodhiss, Fairview, and Stott Knob soils, 25 to 60 percent slopes | 51K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fairview-Poplar Forest complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 42K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fairview-Poplar Forest complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Dan River and Comus soils, 0 to 4 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clifford sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Fairview-Siloam complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fairview-Siloam complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Clover fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Clover fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Water | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Spriggs fine sandy loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sauratown channery fine sandy loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes, very stony | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clover fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brevard-Greenlee complex, 25 to 60 percent slopes, extremely bouldery | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clover sandy clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Clover sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Danripple sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 3K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Codorus loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Siloam fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 3K | 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 54% 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 87% 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.