Barnstable County, Massachusetts
The most common soil here is Carver, on about 30% of the land: a coarse sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Plymouth and Merrimac come next.
About 69% of the land drains well, and 9% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 16% of it.
USDA rates 81% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 29% 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.
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 Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 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 Excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Barnstable County, Massachusetts. 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, saline | 30K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Carver coarse sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 27K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Carver coarse sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 23K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Carver coarse sand, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 19K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carver coarse sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ipswich - Pawcatuck - Matunuck complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 14K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carver loamy coarse sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 13K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 10K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Enfield silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Plymouth-Barnstable complex, hilly, extremely bouldery | 8K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hooksan sand, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Merrimac fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Eastchop loamy fine sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Merrimac fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water, ocean | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Udipsamments, smoothed | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Beaches, sand | 5K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Enfield silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Freetown coarse sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes, sanded surface | 4K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Barnstable-Plymouth complex, rolling | 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 29% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 81% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.