James City and York Counties and the City of Williamsburg, Virginia
The most common soil here is Emporia, on about 17% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Slagle and Craven come next.
About 31% of the land drains well, and 15% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 15% of it.
USDA rates 67% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 58% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% 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 James City and York Counties and the City of Williamsburg, 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 James City and York Counties and the City of Williamsburg, 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 | 47K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Craven-Uchee complex, 6 to 10 percent slopes | 26K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Emporia complex, 25 to 50 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Slagle fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Emporia complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kempsville-Emporia fine sandy loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Johnston complex | 6K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tomotley fine sandy loam | 5K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Emporia fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Peawick silt loam | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, loamy | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Emporia complex, 10 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Suffolk fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Bethera silt loam | 3K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Levy silty clay | 3K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Slagle fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bohicket muck | 3K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Izagora loam | 2K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kempsville fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat 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 58% 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 67% 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.