Leon County, Texas
The most common soil here is Pickton, on about 9% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Padina and Wolfpen come next.
About 64% of the land drains well, and 8% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 18% of it.
USDA rates 64% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 35% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 17% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 2% 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 Leon 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 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 Leon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hatliff fine sandy loam, frequently flooded | 52K | Moderately well drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wolfpen loamy fine sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 49K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Padina loamy fine sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 46K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pickton loamy fine sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Silstid loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Tenaha-Cuthbert complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes | 36K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cuthbert fine sandy loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hearne fine sandy loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rader fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 26K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gasil fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Pickton loamy fine sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Gladewater clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 17K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nahatche loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arenosa fine sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Padina loamy fine sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Crockett-Wilson complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bienville loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Crockett fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kaufman clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 9K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Axtell fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | 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 35% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 64% 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.