Middlesex County, New Jersey
The most common soil here is Sassafras, on about 9% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Woodstown and Boonton come next.
About 38% of the land drains well, and 30% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 31% of it.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 56% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 7% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 9% 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 Middlesex 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 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 Middlesex 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban land | 13K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Boonton-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 7K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Sassafras sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, Northern Coastal Plain | 7K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Fallsington loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Northern Coastal Plain | 6K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Klinesville-Urban land complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodstown loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Northern Coastal Plain | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Downer-Urban land complex, 5 to 10 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pawcatuck-Transquaking complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 5K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Atsion sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Northern Coastal Plain | 5K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Humaquepts, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 5K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sassafras loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Elkton loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 4K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boonton loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sassafras-Urban land complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Galloway loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Woodstown sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, Northern Coastal Plain | 3K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Klinesville channery loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Haledon-Urban land complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Psamments, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 3K | 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 56% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 89% 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.