Soil survey area

Knox County, Ohio

Survey Area OH083• Ohio

The short version

The most common soil here is Homewood, on about 11% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Loudonville and Centerburg come next.

About 41% of the land drains well, and 23% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 36% of it.

USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 69% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 9% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 15% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

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

Homewood

11% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Loudonville

10% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Centerburg

9% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Bennington

7% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Titusville

4% of the area

Silt loam topsoil · moderately well drained

Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.

Alfisols

Chili

4% of the area

Loam topsoil · well drained

A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.

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 C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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 Knox County, Ohio. 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
Bennington silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	22K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Homewood silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	18K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Homewood silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes	16K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Loudonville silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes	14K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Centerburg silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	14K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Titusville silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	12K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Loudonville silt loam, 12 to 18 percent slopes	11K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Centerburg silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded	10K	Moderately well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Westmoreland silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	9K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Orrville silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	8K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Loudonville silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Gilpin silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Bogart silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	7K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Pewamo silty clay loam, low carbonate till, 0 to 2 percent slopes	7K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Brownsville-Westmoreland complex, 25 to 40 percent slopes	7K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Glenford silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes	6K	Moderately well drained	C	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Shoals silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	6K	Somewhat poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Brownsville-Westmoreland complex, 18 to 25 percent slopes	6K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Luray silty clay loam	6K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Centerburg silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded	6K	Moderately well drained	C/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.

Ultisols

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

Inceptisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 69% 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 99% 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