Tennessee Soil Surveys
Tennessee has 94 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 46% of surveyed soils. Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil account for another 27%.
In terms of drainage, 62% of Tennessee 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
46% of surveyed soils
Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.
Alfisols
27% of surveyed soils
Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.
Inceptisols
17% of surveyed soils
Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.
Entisols
5% of surveyed soils
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.
Mollisols
3% of surveyed soils
Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.
Survey Areas
Anderson County, TennesseeBedford County, TennesseeBenton County, TennesseeBig South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Kentucky and TennesseeBledsoe County, TennesseeBlount County Area, TennesseeBradley County, TennesseeCampbell County, TennesseeCannon County, TennesseeCarroll County, TennesseeCarter County, TennesseeCheatham County, TennesseeChester County, TennesseeClaiborne County, TennesseeClay County, TennesseeCocke County Area, TennesseeCoffee County, TennesseeCrockett County, TennesseeCumberland County, TennesseeDavidson County, TennesseeDeKalb County, TennesseeDecatur County, TennesseeDickson County, TennesseeDyer County, TennesseeFayette County, TennesseeFentress and Pickett Counties Area, TennesseeFranklin County, TennesseeGibson County, TennesseeGiles County, TennesseeGrainger County, TennesseeGreat Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North CarolinaGreene County, TennesseeGrundy County, TennesseeHamblen County, TennesseeHamilton County, TennesseeHardeman County, TennesseeHardin County, TennesseeHawkins and Hancock Counties, TennesseeHaywood County, TennesseeHenderson County, TennesseeHenry County, TennesseeHickman County, TennesseeHouston County, TennesseeHumphreys County, TennesseeJackson County, TennesseeJefferson County, TennesseeJohnson County, TennesseeKnox County, TennesseeLake County, TennesseeLauderdale County, TennesseeLawrence County, TennesseeLewis County, TennesseeLincoln County, TennesseeLoudon County, TennesseeMacon County, TennesseeMadison County, TennesseeMarion County, TennesseeMarshall County, TennesseeMaury County, TennesseeMcMinn County, TennesseeMcNairy County, TennesseeMeigs County, TennesseeMonroe County, TennesseeMontgomery County, TennesseeMoore County, TennesseeMorgan County Area, TennesseeObion County, TennesseeOverton County, TennesseePerry County, TennesseePolk County, TennesseePutnam County and Parts of White County, TennesseeRhea County, TennesseeRoane County, TennesseeRobertson County, TennesseeRutherford County, TennesseeScott County Area, TennesseeSequatchie County, TennesseeSevier County Area, TennesseeShelby County, TennesseeSmith County, TennesseeStewart County, TennesseeSullivan County, TennesseeSumner County, TennesseeTipton County, TennesseeTrousdale County, TennesseeUnicoi County, TennesseeUnion County, TennesseeWarren County, TennesseeWashington County, TennesseeWayne County, TennesseeWeakley County, TennesseeWhite County Area and Van Buren County, TennesseeWilliamson County, TennesseeWilson County, Tennessee