Kansas Soil Surveys
Kansas has 105 USDA soil survey areas covering a wide range of landscapes and soil conditions. The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter, making up roughly 73% of surveyed soils. Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes account for another 13%.
In terms of drainage, 69% of Kansas 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
Mollisols
73% of surveyed soils
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.
Entisols
13% of surveyed soils
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.
Alfisols
6% of surveyed soils
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
Inceptisols
3% of surveyed soils
Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.
Vertisols
1% of surveyed soils
High-clay soils that shrink and swell dramatically. Fertile but challenging for foundations and septic systems.
Survey Areas
Allen County, KansasAnderson County, KansasAtchison County, KansasBarber County, KansasBarton County, KansasBourbon County, KansasBrown County, KansasButler County, KansasChase County, KansasChautauqua County, KansasCherokee County, KansasCheyenne County, KansasClark County, KansasClay County, KansasCloud County, KansasCoffey County, KansasComanche County, KansasCowley County, KansasCrawford County, KansasDecatur County, KansasDickinson County, KansasDoniphan County, KansasDouglas County, KansasEdwards County, KansasElk County, KansasEllis County, KansasEllsworth County, KansasFinney County, KansasFord County, KansasFranklin County, KansasGeary County, KansasGove County, KansasGraham County, KansasGrant County, KansasGray County, KansasGreeley County, KansasGreenwood County, KansasHamilton County, KansasHarper County, KansasHarvey County, KansasHaskell County, KansasHodgeman County, KansasJackson County, KansasJefferson County, KansasJewell County, KansasJohnson County, KansasKearny County, KansasKingman County, KansasKiowa County, KansasLabette County, KansasLane County, KansasLeavenworth County, KansasLincoln County, KansasLinn County, KansasLogan County, KansasLyon County, KansasMarion County, KansasMarshall County, KansasMcPherson County, KansasMeade County, KansasMiami County, KansasMitchell County, KansasMontgomery County, KansasMorris County, KansasMorton County, KansasNemaha County, KansasNeosho County, KansasNess County, KansasNorton County, KansasOsage County, KansasOsborne County, KansasOttawa County, KansasPawnee County, KansasPhillips County, KansasPottawatomie County, KansasPratt County, KansasRawlins County, KansasReno County, KansasRepublic County, KansasRice County, KansasRiley County, KansasRooks County, KansasRush County, KansasRussell County, KansasSaline County, KansasScott County, KansasSedgwick County, KansasSeward County, KansasShawnee County, KansasSheridan County, KansasSherman County, KansasSmith County, KansasStafford County, KansasStanton County, KansasStevens County, KansasSumner County, KansasThomas County, KansasTrego County, KansasWabaunsee County, KansasWallace County, KansasWashington County, KansasWichita County, KansasWilson County, KansasWoodson County, KansasWyandotte County, Kansas