Monmouth County, New Jersey
The most common soil here is Freehold, on about 13% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Evesboro and Atsion come next.
About 57% of the land drains well, and 24% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 26% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 41% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 9% 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 Monmouth 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 A (high infiltration, low 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 Monmouth 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freehold sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Humaquepts, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 14K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Freehold-Urban land complex, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Evesboro sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Atsion sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Northern Tidewater Area | 11K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 11K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Tinton loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Shrewsbury sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Evesboro-Urban land complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Collington sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lakewood sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Klej loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lakehurst sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
| Atsion sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Northern Coastal Plain | 7K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tinton-Urban land complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Holmdel sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Klej loamy sand-Urban land complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sassafras sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, Northern Coastal Plain | 5K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Freehold sandy loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes | 5K | 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 41% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 93% 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.