Alabama Soil Surveys
Alabama has 67 USDA soil survey areas covering a wide range of landscapes and soil conditions. The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates, making up roughly 69% of surveyed soils. Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil account for another 9%.
In terms of drainage, 63% of Alabama soils are classified as well drained. Drainage class affects everything from septic system design to basement feasibility to garden planning. Use the survey area pages below to see drainage details for specific counties, or look up any address for an exact soil profile.
Soil Types
Ultisols
69% of surveyed soils
Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.
Alfisols
9% of surveyed soils
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
Inceptisols
9% of surveyed soils
Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.
Entisols
7% of surveyed soils
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.
Vertisols
3% of surveyed soils
High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.
Mollisols
1% of surveyed soils
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.
Survey Areas
Autauga County, AlabamaBaldwin County, AlabamaBarbour County, AlabamaBibb County, AlabamaBlount County, AlabamaBullock County, AlabamaButler County, AlabamaCalhoun County, AlabamaChambers County, AlabamaCherokee County, AlabamaChilton County, AlabamaChoctaw County, AlabamaClarke County, AlabamaClay County, AlabamaCleburne County, AlabamaCoffee County, AlabamaColbert County, AlabamaConecuh County, AlabamaCoosa County, AlabamaCovington County, AlabamaCrenshaw County, AlabamaCullman County, AlabamaDale County, AlabamaDallas County, AlabamaDeKalb County, AlabamaElmore County, AlabamaEscambia County, AlabamaEtowah County, AlabamaFayette County, AlabamaFranklin County, AlabamaGeneva County, AlabamaGreene County, AlabamaHale County, AlabamaHenry County, AlabamaHouston County, AlabamaJackson County, AlabamaJefferson County, AlabamaLamar County, AlabamaLauderdale County, AlabamaLawrence County, AlabamaLee County, AlabamaLimestone County, AlabamaLowndes County, AlabamaMacon County, AlabamaMadison County, AlabamaMarengo County, AlabamaMarion County, AlabamaMarshall County, AlabamaMobile County, AlabamaMonroe County, AlabamaMontgomery County, AlabamaMorgan County, AlabamaPerry County, AlabamaPickens County, AlabamaPike County, AlabamaRandolph County, AlabamaRussell County, AlabamaShelby County, AlabamaSt. Clair County, AlabamaSumter County, AlabamaTalladega County, AlabamaTallapoosa County, AlabamaTuscaloosa County, AlabamaWalker County, AlabamaWashington County, AlabamaWilcox County, AlabamaWinston County, Alabama