Cherokee County, South Carolina
The most common soil here is Tatum, on about 21% of the land. Cecil and Madison come next.
About 96% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 49% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 48% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 7% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 12% 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 Cherokee County, South 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 Cherokee County, South 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gullied land, friable materials, 10 to 35 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cecil sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Madison and Cecil sandy loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Riverview loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wilkes sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gullied land, firm materials | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tatum silty clay loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tatum very fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tatum very fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tatum silty clay loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cecil clay loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tatum silty clay loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, severely eroded | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tatum very fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tatum very fine sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cecil clay loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wilkes sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Appling sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Riverview-Chewacla complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cecil sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Manteo channery silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively 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 48% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 49% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
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.