Davidson County, Tennessee
The most common soil here is Mimosa, on about 14% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Bodine and Maury come next.
About 83% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 5% of it.
USDA rates 80% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 50% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 11% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 25% 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 Davidson County, Tennessee, 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 (high infiltration, low 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 Davidson County, Tennessee. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bodine-Sulphura complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 47K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maury-Urban land complex, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 35K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Mimosa-Urban land complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 16K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Stiversville-Urban land complex, 3 to 25 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bodine gravelly silt loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Arrington silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mimosa silt loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 14K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Mimosa silt loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Talbott-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Armour silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Mimosa-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Mimosa-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dellrose gravelly silt loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lindell-Urban land complex | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stiversville loam, 12 to 25 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Stiversville loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Talbott silt loam, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Talbott complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Lindell silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Moderately well drained | B/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 50% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 80% 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.