Wilson County, Texas
The most common soil here is Wilco, on about 10% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Miguel and Floresville come next.
About 87% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 95% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 27% 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, 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 Wilson 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 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 Wilson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluf and Hitilo soils, undulating | 93K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Wilco loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Elmendorf-Denhawken complex, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 39K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Miguel fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 39K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Floresville fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Clareville clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Papalote loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Luling clay, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Leming loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Poth loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Venus clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Buchel clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 11K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zavala fine sandy loam, frequently flooded | 10K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Orelia fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rhymes fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Miguel fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Coy clay loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nocken stony soils and rock outcrop, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tordia clay, 1 to 4 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Crockett fine sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately 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 27% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 95% 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.