Jackson County, Texas
The most common soil here is Dacosta, on about 22% of the land: a sandy clay loam, gritty but holds together. Laewest and Texana come next.
About 4% of the land drains well, and 7% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 38% of it.
USDA rates 97% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 72% 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 Jackson 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Jackson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dacosta sandy clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 128K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Laewest clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 121K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Texana-Cieno frequently ponded complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 56K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Morales-Cieno frequently ponded complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 35K | Moderately well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Inez fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 35K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nada-Cieno frequently ponded complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 30K | Moderately well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 19K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Edna loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Telferner fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marcado sandy clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Milby sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chicolete clay, frequently flooded | 8K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Navidad fine sandy loam, frequently flooded | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ganado clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 8K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Laewest clay, 3 to 8 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Palacios loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kuy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Swan clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded, occasionally ponded | 5K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aransas clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, slightly saline, moderately sodic, frequently flooded | 5K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Livco fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well 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 72% 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 97% 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.