Hudson County, New Jersey
The most common soil here is Greenbelt, on about 5% of the land. Westbrook and Laguardia come next.
About 9% of the land drains well, and 5% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 27% of it.
USDA rates 68% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 36% 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, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 5% 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 Hudson 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 Well 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 Hudson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 11K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Urban land, wet substratum, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Urban land, till substratum, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Not limited | Very limited | ||
| Westbrook mucky peat, 0 to 2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 2K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land, bedrock substratum, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 1K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Laguardia artifactual coarse sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Secaucus artifactual fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 945 | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land, eolian substratum, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 840 | Not limited | Very limited | ||
| Urban land-Boonton complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 572 | Not limited | Very limited | ||
| Greenbelt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 561 | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Laguardia artifactual coarse sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 520 | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ladyliberty fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 516 | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land, till substratum, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 454 | Somewhat limited | Very limited | ||
| Greenbelt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 426 | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Urban land, bedrock substratum, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 231 | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Udorthents, refuse substratum, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 169 | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Greenbelt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes | 140 | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Rock outcrop-Holyoke complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 123 | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Boonton loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 113 | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Holyoke complex, 45 to 60 percent slopes | 110 | 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 36% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 68% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.