Bristol County, Massachusetts, Southern Part
The most common soil here is Paxton, on about 14% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Woodbridge and Whitman come next.
About 26% of the land drains well, and 22% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 32% of it.
USDA rates 59% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 50% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% 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 Bristol County, Massachusetts, Southern Part, 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 Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Bristol County, Massachusetts, Southern Part. 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, ocean | 69K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Whitman fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, extremely stony | 19K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land | 15K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Paxton fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 13K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Paxton fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Paxton fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodbridge fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 9K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Freetown muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 8K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ridgebury fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, extremely stony | 7K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodbridge fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 7K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Water, saline | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Ridgebury fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, extremely stony | 5K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scarboro mucky fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hinckley loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pits - Udorthents complex, gravelly | 4K | Not limited | Very limited | ||
| Swansea muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 4K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gloucester-Hinckley complex, 3 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hinckley loamy sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 3K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, smoothed | 3K | A | Not 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 50% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 59% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.