State soil summary
Soil types in Alabama
The most widespread soil series in Alabama are Luverne, Smithdale, Nauvoo. Pick a county below, or enter a ZIP code for the county you live in.
- Well or moderately well drained
- 81% of mapped land
- Typical topsoil pH
- 5.0 very strongly acidic · most land 4.6–5.8
- Septic fields very limited
- 79% 3% not limited
- Subject to flooding
- 19% of land, any frequency
Alabama counties
8 county reports, by population
| County | Most common soil | Well drained | Topsoil pH | Septic very limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | Nauvoo | 86% | 5.3 | 51% |
| Madison County | Barfield | 81% | 5.3 | 62% |
| Mobile County | Wadley | 63% | 5.0 | 75% |
| Baldwin County | Lakeland | 60% | 5.0 | 90% |
| Tuscaloosa County | Smithdale | 87% | 5.0 | 85% |
| Shelby County | Townley | 90% | 5.0 | 81% |
| Montgomery County | Sumter | 60% | 5.3 | 95% |
| Lee County | Pacolet | 90% | 5.5 | 30% |
What this means
What Alabama soils mean for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Typical topsoil in Alabama is very strongly acidic: pH 5.0 (most land between 4.6 and 5.8). Most vegetables and lawn grasses do best around 6.0 to 7.0, so lime is often needed; blueberries, azaleas and rhododendrons like it as it is.
Loamy topsoil (loam, silt loam and similar) covers 78% of the land: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is fine sandy loam (24% of the land).
81% of the land is moderately well to excessively drained, which suits most garden plants.
For lawns and yards
On 58% of the land, rain soaks in slowly (hydrologic groups C and D, including dual groups that are D until drained). Expect runoff and puddles after heavy rain: core-aerate compacted lawns and keep ground sloping away from foundations.
For septic systems
For conventional septic absorption fields, NRCS rates 79% of the land in Alabama very limited, 18% somewhat limited and 3% not limited.
Where the soil is very limited (slow permeability, a high water table, flooding, shallow bedrock or steep slopes), alternative systems such as mound or sand-filter designs are common and cost more.
Flooding is mapped on 19% of the land (5% occasional, 12% frequent).
Only a licensed site evaluation or perc test at the actual lot decides whether a system is allowed and which design.
Statewide mix
Share of all mapped land
Drainage
Show as a table
| Category | Share of land |
|---|---|
| Excessively drained | 0.8% |
| Somewhat excessively drained | 5.9% |
| Well drained | 60.7% |
| Moderately well drained | 13.8% |
| Somewhat poorly drained | 8.3% |
| Poorly drained | 8.2% |
| Very poorly drained | 1.3% |
| Not rated | 1.0% |
Septic absorption fields
Show as a table
| Category | Share of land |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 2.9% |
| Somewhat limited | 17.6% |
| Very limited | 78.5% |
| Not rated | 0.9% |
Topsoil pH
Show as a table
| Category | Share of land |
|---|---|
| Strongly acidic (below 5.5) | 76.2% |
| Moderately to slightly acidic (5.5–6.4) | 17.1% |
| Near neutral (6.5–7.3) | 2.8% |
| Alkaline (7.4 and up) | 2.4% |
| Not reported | 1.5% |
Sources & data dates
- Source
- USDA NRCS Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), queried through Soil Data Access. Public domain.
- Data date
- SSURGO as published on November 3, 2026 (most recent survey area update October 26, 2026). NRCS refreshes SSURGO each October.
- Scope
- Alabama: 28,379,232 acres of mapped land in 67 counties, pooled (not an average of county figures).
- Method
- Shares are by mapped land area: each map unit’s acres in the county times each soil component’s percentage. Open water is excluded. Topsoil values use the first mineral horizon of each component. Full methodology.