Clarendon County, South Carolina
The most common soil here is Lynchburg, on about 12% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Fuquay and Dothan come next.
About 29% of the land drains well, and 47% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 50% of it.
USDA rates 87% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 58% 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.
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 Clarendon 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 A/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 Clarendon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 56K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Lynchburg loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 56K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fuquay fine sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 50K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Paxville loam | 36K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dothan loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Clarendon loamy sand | 28K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rains sandy loam | 25K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rutlege loamy fine sand | 18K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rains sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Atlantic Coast Flatwoods | 16K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Persanti very fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Troup sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Portsmouth-Johnston association | 11K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cantey loam | 10K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Johnston soils | 9K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tawcaw soils | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Foreston fine sand | 9K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dothan loamy fine sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Marlboro loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Scranton fine sand | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Osier loamy fine sand | 4K | Poorly drained | A/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 58% 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 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.