Mercer County, New Jersey
The most common soil here is Sassafras, on about 11% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Bucks and Udorthents come next.
About 52% of the land drains well, and 25% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 31% of it.
USDA rates 82% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 47% 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 12% 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 Mercer 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 B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. 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 Mercer 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucks silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sassafras sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, Northern Coastal Plain | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Othello silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Northern Coastal Plain | 8K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mattapex and Bertie loams, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sassafras sandy loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, Northern Coastal Plain | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Matapeake loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Urban land | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Glassboro and Woodstown sandy loams, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Quakertown silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Penn channery silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, bedrock substratum, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hatboro-Codorus complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 3K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chalfont silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, stratified substratum, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 3K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Readington and Abbottstown silt loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 2K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, gravelly substratum, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
| Marsh, fresh water, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Bowmansville silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 2K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Matapeake loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | 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 47% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 82% 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
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.