Marion County, Tennessee
The most common soil here is Ramsey, on about 22% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Bouldin and Lily come next.
About 77% of the land drains well, and 3% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 3% of it.
USDA rates 80% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 75% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 53% 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 Marion 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 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 Marion 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bouldery colluvium, Allen soil material (Bouldin) | 62K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hartsells fine sandy loam, rolling phase (Lily) | 52K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Muskingum stony fine sandy loam, hilly phase (Ramsey) | 40K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ramsey stony fine sandy loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes, stony | 27K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Talbott complex, 12 to 60 percent slopes | 23K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Rock outcrop-Ramsey complex, 12 to 60 percent slopes | 21K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Water | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Hartsells fine sandy loam, undulating phase (Lily) | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Jefferson fine sandy loam, rolling phase | 5K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sequatchie loam, eroded undulating phase | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cobbly alluvium, Staser and Sequatchie soil materials (Welchland) | 4K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cotaco and Atkins silt loams (Bonair) | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fullerton gravelly silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lindside silt loam (Hamblen) | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sequatchie loam, undulating phase | 3K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Prader silt loam (Purdy) | 3K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Melvin silty clay loam | 3K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Emory silt loam | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hamblen loam | 2K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Staser loam | 2K | Well drained | B | 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 75% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
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.