Perry County, Pennsylvania
The most common soil here is Hazleton, on about 18% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Berks and Calvin come next.
About 82% of the land drains well, and 4% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 13% of it.
USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 87% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 38% 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 Perry County, Pennsylvania, 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 Perry County, Pennsylvania. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazleton channery sandy loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes, rubbly | 42K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weikert and Klinesville very shaly silt loams, 25 to 75 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Laidig very stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton channery sandy loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, rubbly | 20K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calvin shaly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calvin shaly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weikert very channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hazleton channery sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, rubbly | 8K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elliber very cherty silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Buchanan channery loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 7K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Albrights silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dystrochrepts, bouldery | 7K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calvin-Berks shaly silt loams, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Buchanan channery loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony | 6K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Klinesville very shaly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes, very stony | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Berks channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Meckesville very stony silt loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | 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 87% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 96% 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.