Charlottesville City, Virginia
The most common soil here is Culpeper, on about 12% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Elioak and Udorthents come next.
About 69% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 4% of it.
USDA rates 27% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 26% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 5% 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 Charlottesville City, Virginia, 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 Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. 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 Charlottesville City, Virginia. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban land | 2K | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited | ||
| Culpeper - Urban land complex, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 912 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Elioak - Urban land complex, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 562 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Elioak - Urban land complex, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 437 | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Udorthents, loamy, 2 to 25 percent slopes | 416 | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Rabun - Urban land complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 360 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Culpeper - Urban land complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 340 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Culpeper - Urban land complex, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 243 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Glenelg - Urban land complex, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 231 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Dan River-Codorus complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 157 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cullen - Urban land complex, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 138 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Glenelg - Urban land complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 138 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rabun - Urban land complex, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 129 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Elioak loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 101 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Albemarle - Urban land complex, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 79 | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Glenelg loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 74 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glenelg - Urban land complex, 25 to 45 percent slopes | 70 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Philomont sandy loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, very stony | 62 | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Catoctin - Urban land complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 61 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Codorus silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 58 | Somewhat poorly drained | B/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 26% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 27% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
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.