State soil summary
Soil types in North Carolina
The most widespread soil series in North Carolina are Fairview, Cecil, Norfolk. Pick a county below, or enter a ZIP code for the county you live in.
- Well or moderately well drained
- 68% of mapped land
- Typical topsoil pH
- 5.2 strongly acidic · most land 4.5–6.0
- Septic fields very limited
- 76% 0% not limited
- Subject to flooding
- 18% of land, any frequency
North Carolina counties
23 county reports, by population
| County | Most common soil | Well drained | Topsoil pH | Septic very limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wake County | Pacolet | 70% | 5.5 | 60% |
| Mecklenburg County | Cecil | 84% | 5.5 | 50% |
| Guilford County | Enon | 90% | 5.8 | 70% |
| Forsyth County | Fairview | 88% | 5.5 | 56% |
| Durham County | White Store | 85% | 5.8 | 68% |
| Cumberland County | Wagram | 59% | 5.0 | 70% |
| Buncombe County | Evard | 90% | 5.3 | 92% |
| Union County | Badin | 94% | 5.0 | 72% |
| Johnston County | Norfolk | 67% | 5.0 | 68% |
| Cabarrus County | Enon | 88% | 5.8 | 70% |
| New Hanover County | Murville | 36% | 5.1 | 88% |
| Gaston County | Cecil | 88% | 5.5 | 42% |
| Onslow County | Baymeade | 42% | 4.8 | 87% |
| Iredell County | Tomlin | 89% | 5.7 | 50% |
| Alamance County | Cullen | 92% | 5.3 | 66% |
| Pitt County | Rains | 35% | 4.7 | 88% |
| Davidson County | Pacolet | 92% | 5.5 | 63% |
| Brunswick County | Baymeade | 35% | 4.8 | 93% |
| Catawba County | Cecil | 94% | 6.0 | 54% |
| Rowan County | Cecil | 90% | 5.5 | 54% |
| Orange County | Georgeville | 94% | 5.8 | 37% |
| Randolph County | Georgeville | 97% | 5.5 | 59% |
| Harnett County | Norfolk | 77% | 5.3 | 70% |
What this means
What North Carolina soils mean for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Typical topsoil in North Carolina is strongly acidic: pH 5.2 (most land between 4.5 and 6.0). 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 69% of the land: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is fine sandy loam (14% of the land).
68% of the land is moderately well to excessively drained, which suits most garden plants.
For lawns and yards
On 51% 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.
A seasonal high water table comes within 18 inches of the surface on 30% of the land, often in spring. Basements, sump pumps and lawns in low spots feel it first.
For septic systems
For conventional septic absorption fields, NRCS rates 76% of the land in North Carolina very limited, 21% somewhat limited and 0% not limited (2% not rated, such as urban land, pits or water).
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 18% of the land (2% occasional, 9% 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 | 1.0% |
| Somewhat excessively drained | 2.8% |
| Well drained | 54.2% |
| Moderately well drained | 10.4% |
| Somewhat poorly drained | 5.4% |
| Poorly drained | 12.4% |
| Very poorly drained | 11.6% |
| Not rated | 2.3% |
Septic absorption fields
Show as a table
| Category | Share of land |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 21.4% |
| Very limited | 76.4% |
| Not rated | 2.2% |
Topsoil pH
Show as a table
| Category | Share of land |
|---|---|
| Strongly acidic (below 5.5) | 61.7% |
| Moderately to slightly acidic (5.5–6.4) | 33.5% |
| Near neutral (6.5–7.3) | 2.3% |
| Alkaline (7.4 and up) | 0.2% |
| Not reported | 2.3% |
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
- North Carolina: 29,116,609 acres of mapped land in 100 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.