New Castle County, Delaware
The most common soil here is Reybold, on about 9% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Glenelg and Fallsington come next.
About 46% of the land drains well, and 16% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 23% of it.
USDA rates 68% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 39% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 1% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in New Castle County, Delaware, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in New Castle County, Delaware. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 45K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Reybold silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Urban land | 11K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Ingleside-Hammonton-Fallsington complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Talleyville-Montalto-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Broadkill mucky silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded, tidal | 8K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mattapex-Urban land complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Glenelg-Wheaton-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Glenelg loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Elsinboro-Delanco-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Hammonton-Fallsington-Mullica complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reybold silt loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Reybold-Queponco complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Glenelg loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Fallsington loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Mid-Altlantic Coastal Plain | 4K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Neshaminy-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Leipsic silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hambrook-Urban land complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Hatboro-Codorus complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 4K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 39% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 68% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.