Gloucester soils are sandy-skeletal. Hinckley and Merrimac soils formed in stratified sandy and gravelly outwash on terraces. Montauk and Paxton soils have a dense substratum. Sutton soils are moderately well drained. Scituate and Woodbridge soils are moderately well drained and have a dense substratum.
Surface runoff is medium to rapid.
Permeability is moderate or moderately rapid throughout. Areas cleared of stones are used for cultivated crops, hay and pasture. Scattered areas are used for community development. Common trees are red, white, black and chestnut oak, hickory, white pine, hemlock, gray birch, beech and red and sugar maple. The soil is of moderate extent.