Cape May County, New Jersey
The most common soil here is Hammonton, on about 13% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Transquaking and Berryland come next.
About 23% of the land drains well, and 45% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 45% of it.
USDA rates 80% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 60% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 48% 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 Cape May County, New Jersey, 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 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 Cape May County, New Jersey. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berryland and Mullica soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 26K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water, saline | 21K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Appoquinimink-Transquaking-Mispillion complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 20K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hammonton sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pawcatuck-Transquaking complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 12K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hammonton loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes, Northern Tidewater Area | 10K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Manahawkin muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded, Northern Coastal Plain | 8K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mispillion-Transquaking-Appoquinimink complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 8K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Downer sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Northern Tidewater Area | 7K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ingleside loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes, Northern Tidewater Area | 6K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Psamments, wet substratum complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Ingleside sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Downer loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes, Northern Tidewater Area | 4K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Urban land-Psamments, sulfidic substratum complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 4K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Transquaking mucky peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 4K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Swainton sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Fort Mott sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pits, sand and gravel | 3K | Well drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Dennisville sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Galloway loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 2K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | 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 60% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 80% 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.