Orange County, Virginia
The most common soil here is Buffstat, on about 20% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Littlejoe and Fauquier come next.
About 83% of the land drains well, and 8% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 12% of it.
USDA rates 37% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 28% 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, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 16% 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 Orange 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 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 Orange 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffstat silt loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 24K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Buffstat silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Littlejoe silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Fauquier clay, 7 to 15 percent slopes, severely eroded | 11K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Buffstat silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bugley very channery silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grassland silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hatboro-Codorus complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 5K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Littlejoe silt loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 5K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Fauquier clay loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Codorus silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fauquier clay loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Meadowville silt loam, 2 to 10 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bugley very channery silt loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Littlejoe loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Littlejoe silt loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rabun clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elioak fine sandy loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 3K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Elbert silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, overwash | 3K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Meadowville fine sandy loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | 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 28% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 37% 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.