Dare County, North Carolina
The most common soil here is Pungo, on about 8% of the land: a clay, sticky when wet and rock-hard when dry. Belhaven and Hyde come next.
About 2% of the land drains well, and 22% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 23% of it.
USDA rates 25% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 24% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% 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 Dare County, North Carolina, 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/D (varies with drainage). 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 Dare County, North Carolina. 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 | 740K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Pungo muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 88K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Belhaven muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 42K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hyde loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 19K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hobonny muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 16K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ponzer muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 11K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roper muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 8K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Currituck mucky peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 7K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carteret sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 7K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Duckston fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 6K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fripp fine sand, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 6K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Newhan fine sand, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 5K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Corolla fine sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 4K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Trinity Harbor fine sand, 1 to 2 meter water depth | 4K | Subaqueous | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Beaches-Newhan complex, 0 to 25 percent slopes | 4K | Poorly drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Cape Fear loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 3K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kitty Hawk fine sand, 0 to 1 meter water depth | 3K | Subaqueous | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Ousley fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 2K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pine Island fine sand, 0 to 1 meter water depth | 2K | Subaqueous | D | Not rated | Not rated |
| Baymeade fine sand, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 2K | 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 24% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 25% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
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.