Barnes County, ND radon potential

EPA places Barnes County in Zone 1 - Highest Potential — a predicted county-wide average indoor radon level above 4 pCi/L, based on the geology, soil and aerial radioactivity data behind EPA's national map. Nationally, Barnes County ranks higher in radon potential than 76% of rated counties (the 76th percentile).

Where Barnes County sits nationally

Barnes County, North Dakota is home to about 10,798 people across 1,491.559 square miles. Population density there runs about 7 people per square mile. Within its own EPA zone, Barnes County is bigger by population than 30% of the counties that share it. Geologically, Barnes County is grouped into EPA Region 8 alongside 290 other counties that share its rock and soil setting.

Why the zone isn't the answer by itself

Barnes County carries a Zone 1 label because its predicted average clears 4 pCi/L outright — three-plus times the 0.4 pCi/L typical outdoors and above the 1.3 pCi/L most homes see. Being in Zone 1 raises the odds Barnes County homes test above the action level, but it does not mean any specific house does — EPA recommends every home be tested, in every zone, because the only way to know is to test.

Testing and mitigation in Barnes County

A short-term test kit is the standard first step and typically costs far less than mitigation itself. If a test comes back at or above 4 pCi/L, a radon mitigation system for a typical home runs roughly $800–$2,500 (around $1,200 for a common single-family install), driven mainly by foundation type, not by county.

Find North Dakota's state radon program

For Barnes County, an ongoing number beats a one-time test - a Airthings radon monitor tracks Barnes County's levels over time. RadonZoneCheck earns a commission there, at no extra cost to you. Code RADONZONE-10OFF takes 10% off at checkout.

Where Barnes County's figures come from

Every figure on this page traces to EPA's own Map of Radon Zones and Census data, documented in the methodology guide. If you're unsure why a low zone still deserves a test, the zone explainer covers that directly.