Essex County, Massachusetts, Northern Part
The most common soil here is Canton, on about 7% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Paxton and Charlton come next.
About 41% of the land drains well, and 23% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 34% of it.
USDA rates 78% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 52% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 8% 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 Essex County, Massachusetts, Northern 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 A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Essex County, Massachusetts, Northern 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, saline | 17K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Freetown muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 10K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ipswich and Westbrook mucky peats, 0 to 2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 10K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Udorthents, smoothed | 5K | A | Not limited | Very limited | |
| Hinckley loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Urban land | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Windsor loamy sand, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Canton fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 4K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Charlton-Hollis complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Charlton-Rock outcrop-Hollis complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Deerfield loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodbridge fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 4K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hinckley loamy sand, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 3K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Woodbridge fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Canton fine sandy loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony | 3K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Scantic silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Scarboro mucky fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Paxton fine sandy loam, 25 to 35 percent slopes, extremely stony | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Paxton fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very 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 52% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 78% 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.