Northampton County, Virginia
The most common soil here is Bojac, on about 21% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Chincoteague and Munden come next.
About 29% of the land drains well, and 24% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 25% of it.
USDA rates 61% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 35% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 20% 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 Northampton County, Virginia, 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 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 Northampton County, Virginia. 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, less than 40 acres | 88K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Chincoteague silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, very frequently flooded | 35K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bojac fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bojac sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Munden sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 15K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nimmo sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 13K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bojac loamy sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Molena loamy sand, 6 to 35 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Magotha fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 2K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beaches, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 2K | Excessively drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Fisherman fine sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 2K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dragston fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 2K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fisherman-Camocca complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 2K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Polawana loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 1K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Camocca fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded | 1K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Assateague sand, 2 to 50 percent slopes | 499 | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fisherman-Assateague complex, 0 to 35 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 402 | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Udorthents and Udipsamments soils, 0 to 30 percent slopes | 287 | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Assateague fine sand, 2 to 35 percent slopes, rarely flooded | 211 | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seabrook loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 201 | Moderately 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 35% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 61% 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.