Fauquier County, Virginia
The most common soil here is Tankerville, on about 7% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Fauquier and Purcellville come next.
About 71% of the land drains well, and 18% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 18% of it.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 62% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 21% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 39% 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 Fauquier County, 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 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 Fauquier County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middleburg loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 22K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tankerville-Purcellville complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, rocky | 19K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fauquier silt loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Purcellville-Tankerville complex, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ashburn silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mongle silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Myersville silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, stony | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Albano silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 11K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dulles silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tankerville-Purcellville complex, 7 to 15 percent slopes, rocky | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Codorus loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 9K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pigeonroost loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, very stony | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yellowbottom loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Hazel sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, rocky | 7K | Excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pignut-Alanthus complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, extremely stony | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Penn silt loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Yellowbottom loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Jackland and Haymarket soils, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fauquier silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Glenelg loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | 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 62% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 82% 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
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.