Williamsburg city, Virginia
A shallow water table limits basements on 77% of Williamsburg city's mapped land, a higher share than 86% of US counties and the 10th highest of 133 Virginia counties. Shrink-swell clay limits houses without basements on 1%.
The soil survey maps 58% of the county's land area; these shares describe the mapped part. None of the county is in drought on the October 13, 2026 Drought Monitor map. FEMA's flood data list no flood losses here since 2016. 38% of homes were built before 1980, against 50% nationally; the median home dates from 1987.
Data as of October 13, 2026 · sources
expansive clay: shrink-swell limits slab homes
high water table: limits basements
in drought, October 13, 2026
of homes built before 1980
Soil under Williamsburg city
| Expansive clay (limits slab homes) | 0.9% |
| High water table (limits basements) | 77.1% |
| Septic fields very limited | 78.8% |
| Clay swell (LEP, by area) | 2.5% |
| High-swell land (LEP 6%+) | 0.9% |
| Urban land, not rated | 8.6% |
| Mapped soil | 3,300 acres |
| Soil series | Share here | Series nationally: high water table |
|---|---|---|
| Slagle | 43% | n/a |
| Emporia | 17% | n/a |
| Craven | 10% | n/a |
| Uchee | 10% | n/a |
| Johnston | 3% | n/a |
| Kempsville | 3% | n/a |
How we count · survey areas VA695 (2025-09-08)
What the numbers mean here
On 77% of Williamsburg city's mapped land, soil stays saturated within about 6 feet of the surface for part of the year, which is basement depth.
Rain over the 12 months to August 2026: 40.46 in, 8.60 in below the 1991-2020 average year of 49.06 in.
USDA rates 79% of the land very limited for septic absorption fields.
Drought
0% of the county is in drought (D1 or worse) on the October 13, 2026 map. Part of the county was in drought in 22 of the last 52 weeks; the most was 100% of its area, in 22 weeks, most recently on the September 22, 2026 map.
| Category, October 13, 2026 | Share of county |
|---|---|
| D0 abnormally dry or worse | 100% |
| D1 moderate drought or worse | 0% |
| D2 severe or worse | 0% |
| D3 extreme or worse | 0% |
| D4 exceptional | 0% |
Flood losses since 2016
FEMA's flood data list no flood losses in Williamsburg city since 2016.
Rain
| Average year, 1991-2020 | 49.06 in |
| 12 months to August 2026 | 40.46 in (-8.60) |
| 2025 | 52.03 in (+2.97) |
| Wettest year since 1895 | 2020: 70.87 in |
| Driest year since 1895 | 1930: 25.84 in |
| Days with 1 inch or more, normal at WILLIAMSBURG 2 N (2 mi away) | 13.5 |
Homes
| Housing units | 5,799 |
| Median year built | 1987 |
| Built before 1980 | 38% |
| Built 2000 or later | 33% |
| Owner-occupied | 53% |
| Median value, owner-occupied | $428,100 |
| Single-family detached | 42% |
What repairs cost
Published ranges from cost guides, not quotes. More sources, and where they disagree.
Nearby counties
| Place | Distance | Expansive clay | High water table |
|---|---|---|---|
| James City County, VA | 5 mi | 8% | 58% |
| Gloucester County, VA | 14 mi | 11% | 61% |
| Surry County, VA | 14 mi | 2% | 75% |
| Newport News city, VA | 17 mi | 8% | 32% |
| York County, VA | 18 mi | 3% | 59% |
| Charles City County, VA | 20 mi | 18% | 71% |
| New Kent County, VA | 23 mi | 3% | 66% |
| Poquoson city, VA | 24 mi | 5% | 54% |
Sources: USDA SSURGO (September 8, 2025) · US Drought Monitor (October 13, 2026) · FEMA NFIP v3 (September 9, 2026) · NOAA (August 2026) · Census ACS 2020-2024. Methods · Data status