Hockley County, Texas
The most common soil here is Amarillo, on about 41% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Acuff and Portales come next.
About 98% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 10% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 4% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
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 Hockley County, Texas, 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 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 Hockley County, Texas. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 162K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Acuff loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 101K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Amarillo fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 83K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Patricia and Amarillo loamy fine sands, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Portales loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Portales loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Posey fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Olton clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pep loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Midessa fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Arvana fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Estacado loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Drake soils, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Midessa fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Acuff loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Arvana fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ranco clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently ponded | 4K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pep loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kimberson gravelly loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Friona loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Somewhat 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
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
Most soils are reasonably suitable for conventional septic systems, though site-specific conditions always matter. Get a perc test to confirm.
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.