Nueces County, Texas
The most common soil here is Victoria, on about 45% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Raymondville and Orelia come next.
About 59% of the land drains well, and 10% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 10% of it.
USDA rates 76% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 66% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% 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 Nueces 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 Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. 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 Nueces 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria clay 0 to 1 percent slopes | 306K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 151K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Orelia fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 33K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Raymondville complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 32K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Galveston and Mustang fine sands, occasionally flooded | 21K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tidal flats, occasionally ponded | 19K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land | 15K | D | Not limited | Very limited | |
| Victoria clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, low | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Banquete clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 12K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Clareville loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Mustang fine sand, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, frequently ponded | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coastal dunes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aransas clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 5K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ijam clay loam, rarely flooded | 5K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Victoria clay, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Raymondville complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Willacy fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Calallen sandy clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Aransas clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 4K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Twinpalms occasionally flooded-Yarborough frequently flooded complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat poorly 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 66% 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 76% 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.