City of Virginia Beach, Virginia
The most common soil here is Acredale, on about 11% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Tomotley and Kill Devil come next.
About 5% of the land drains well, and 35% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 46% of it.
USDA rates 45% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 42% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 18% 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 City of Virginia Beach, 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 City of Virginia Beach, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 131K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Acredale silt loam | 35K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tomotley loam | 15K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kill Devil silt loam, 1 to 2 meter water depth | 12K | Subaqueous | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Nimmo loam | 11K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dorovan mucky peat | 8K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Acredale-Urban land complex | 7K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tetotum loam | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| State loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nawney silt loam | 5K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dragston fine sandy loam | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coratank muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 4K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Munden fine sandy loam | 4K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coratank-Coinjock complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 4K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, loamy | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Udorthents-Urban land complex | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Urban land | 4K | Not limited | Not limited | ||
| Pine Island fine sand, 0 to 1 meter water depth | 4K | Subaqueous | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Augusta loam | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bojac fine sandy loam | 3K | Well drained | A | Somewhat 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 42% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 45% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.