Kent County, Texas
The most common soil here is Quinlan, on about 14% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Miles and Heatly come next.
About all of the land drains well.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 25% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 38% 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 Kent 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Kent 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heatly-Nobscot complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 101K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Quinlan soils, sloping | 65K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sagerton clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Woodward and Quinlan loams, 3 to 12 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rough broken land | 27K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Weymouth clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Miles fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Miles loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Obaro loam, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Obaro loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Polar and Berda soils, hilly | 14K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Miles-Cobb complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Berda fine sandy loam, moist, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Abilene clay loam, dry, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Vernon clay loam, dry, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Berda fine sandy loam, moist, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Westola very fine sandy loam, dry, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 9K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sagerton clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lincoln fine sand, dry, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wichita silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | 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
About 25% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 82% 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.