Soils in Wayne County, Michigan

Wayne County, Michigan has 31,525 acres of well-drained soil across 206 distinct soil map units. The map below shows every NRCS soil map unit inside the county boundary.

Wayne County, Michigan at a glance

Well-drained land31,525 acres
Share of mapped soil that is well drained7.8%
Poorly drained land290,590 acres
Most common drainage classSomewhat poorly drained — 203,084 acres
Distinct soil map units206
Largest soil map unitUrban land-Riverfront complex, dense substratum, 0 to 4 percent slopes — 17,906 acres
Share with hydrologic soil group A or B (high infiltration)12.7%
Typical shallowest annual water table18 in below the surface

Wayne County, Michigan is home to 1,769,038 residents. Land Owl's soils layer records the following within the county boundary — Well-drained land: 31,525 acres. Share of mapped soil that is well drained: 7.8%. Poorly drained land: 290,590 acres. Most common drainage class: Somewhat poorly drained — 203,084 acres. Distinct soil map units: 206. Largest soil map unit: Urban land-Riverfront complex, dense substratum, 0 to 4 percent slopes — 17,906 acres. Share with hydrologic soil group A or B (high infiltration): 12.7%. Typical shallowest annual water table: 18 in below the surface. Every feature shown on the map above is clickable, and the figures on this page are derived from the same data the map renders, so they always agree. A free Land Owl account adds parcel boundaries, ownership records, flood zones, wetlands and topography over the same view.

Frequently asked questions

What are the soils like in Wayne County, Michigan?
The USDA soil survey maps 31,525 acres of Wayne County, Michigan as well drained and 290,590 acres as poorly drained. Drainage class and hydrologic soil group are the two properties that most often decide whether a rural lot can take a septic system and a driveway.
Is this soil map free to use?
Yes. This map is free to view. A free Land Owl account unlocks the other data layers, parcel boundaries and ownership records.
Where does this data come from?
Land Owl maps soils from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service SSURGO soil survey. SSURGO describes soil MAP UNITS at survey scale — it is a screening tool for shortlisting land, not a substitute for a site-specific soil evaluation or a septic percolation test, both of which your health department will want before it permits a system.
Can I use this soil map to tell whether land will perc?
It is the right place to start and the wrong place to finish. Drainage class and hydrologic soil group tell you which parcels are worth a site visit, but a health department permits a septic system on a percolation test dug on the actual lot, not on the survey.

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