Bates County, MO: EPA's radon zone, explained

EPA's own radon map rates Bates County zone 2 - moderate potential, predicting a county-wide average indoor level between 2 and 4 pCi/L. Rank it against the rest of the country and Bates County lands in the 44th percentile for radon potential.

Where Bates County sits nationally

Bates County, Missouri is home to about 16,394 people across 836.696 square miles. That works out to roughly 20 people per square mile. By population, Bates County is the 686th largest of every county sharing its EPA zone — the 34th percentile by population within that zone. Geologically, Bates County is grouped into EPA Region 7 alongside 411 other counties that share its rock and soil setting.

Zone vs. an actual test

Bates County's predicted average falls between EPA's 4 pCi/L action level and the national indoor average of about 1.3 pCi/L (outdoor air runs roughly 0.4 pCi/L). Middle-of-the-pack doesn't mean risk-free for any one Bates County address — a moderate county average still leaves individual homes to test either side of it.

Next steps for a home in Bates County

For a Bates County homeowner, the order is simple: test first, since a kit costs a small fraction of what mitigation would. Only if the result clears 4 pCi/L does a system — typically $800–$2,500, about $1,200 for a common install — become worth pricing out.

Find Missouri's state radon program

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

Where Bates 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. The guide to what a radon zone actually means covers why testing matters in every zone, not just Zone 1.