Midland County, Texas
The most common soil here is Amarillo, on about 21% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Upton and Reagan come next.
About 99% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 62% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 41% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% 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 Midland 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 Aridisols — dry-climate soils with limited organic matter and often calcium carbonate accumulation. 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 Midland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upton loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 99K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reagan silty clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 85K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Amarillo fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 70K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Amarillo fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 60K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kimbrough loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Midessa fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Amarose loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kimbrough-Slaughter complex | 24K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sharvana fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Springer loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Upton-Reagan complex | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Slaughter loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Midessa fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Arvana fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Arvana fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bippus clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 10K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reeves loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Simona fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Noelke gravelly loam, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Holloman loam | 5K | 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 41% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 62% 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.