What EPA's radon map says about Ashe County

EPA places Ashe County in Zone 2 - Moderate Potential — a predicted county-wide average indoor radon level between 2 and 4 pCi/L, based on the geology, soil and aerial radioactivity data behind EPA's national map. Rank it against the rest of the country and Ashe County lands in the 49th percentile for radon potential.

Where Ashe County sits nationally

About 27,266 people live in Ashe County, North Carolina, spread over 426.266 square miles. Population density there runs about 64 people per square mile. Among counties sharing Ashe County's EPA zone, it outranks 50% of them by population. Ashe County falls in EPA Radon Region 4, one of 736 counties nationally EPA assigns to that same geologic province.

Zone vs. an actual test

EPA's Zone 2 rating for Ashe County sits below its own 4 pCi/L action level but above the national indoor average of about 1.3 pCi/L. A Zone 2 rating is a moderate county-wide average, not a guarantee about any one house in Ashe County — testing is the only way to know an individual home's actual level.

If Ashe County tests above the action level

Mitigation cost doesn't depend on Ashe County's zone — it depends on the house's foundation. A typical system runs $800–$2,500 (about $1,200 typical), and testing first is what tells you whether that's needed at all.

Find North Carolina's state radon program

Ashe County's test kit answers today; a Airthings radon monitor keeps answering for Ashe County over time. Affiliate link, RadonZoneCheck earns a commission there, at no extra cost to you. Use code RADONZONE-10OFF at checkout for 10% off.

More on how this number was built

Ashe County's zone, rank and region all trace back to named EPA and Census sources — the methodology guide lists exactly which ones. The guide to what a radon zone actually means covers why testing matters in every zone, not just Zone 1.