Shelby County, Texas
The most common soil here is Eastwood, on about 33% of the land: a very fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Laneville and Latex come next.
About 57% of the land drains well, and 14% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 25% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 50% 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 Shelby 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 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 Shelby 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastwood very fine sandy loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 127K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eastwood very fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 61K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Laneville loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 47K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scottsville-Latex complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 43K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dreka loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 25K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 21K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Metcalf-Sawtown complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, mounded | 20K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Latex fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hallsummit fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tenaha loamy fine sand, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Lilbert loamy fine sand, 1 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Laneville silt loam, occasionally flooded | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Betis loamy fine sand, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cuthbert fine sandy loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Metcalf very fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Metcalf-Timpson complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, mounded | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Darco loamy fine sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Owentown fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 7K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Darco loamy fine sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Alazan-Besner complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, mounded | 6K | 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 50% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 92% 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.