Stafford and King George Counties, Virginia
The most common soil here is Sassafras, on about 13% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Caroline and Galestown come next.
About 67% of the land drains well, and 17% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 17% of it.
USDA rates 76% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 51% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 12% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 3% 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 Stafford and King George Counties, 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 Stafford and King George Counties, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alluvial land, wet | 15K | Poorly drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Galestown-Sassafras complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sassafras fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Caroline-Sassafras complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Galestown-Sassafras complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Sassafras fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Nason silt loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bourne fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Caroline fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Appling fine sandy loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sandy and clayey land, steep, Sassafras and Caroline materials | 6K | Well drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Nason silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wehadkee very fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aura-Galestown-Sassafras complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bladen loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sassafras fine sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Caroline fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tidal marsh | 4K | Very poorly drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Kempsville fine sandy loam, gravelly substratum, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Elioak silt loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes, eroded | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat 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 51% 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 76% 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.