Sussex County, Virginia
The most common soil here is Slagle, on about 21% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Chastain and Emporia come next.
About 21% of the land drains well, and 38% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 33% of it.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 81% 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 Sussex 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 Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). 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 Sussex 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slagle fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 39K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Slagle fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 31K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chastain loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 25K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Yemassee fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roanoke loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 18K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Emporia-Slagle complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Craven clay loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ocilla loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Myatt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Emporia-Slagle complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Uchee loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Craven loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Emporia-Slagle complex, 6 to 10 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bibb and Chastain soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 7K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tomotley sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 7K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Uchee-Slagle complex, 6 to 10 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Eulonia fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Altavista fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chewacla loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Augusta sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | 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 81% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 99% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.