Chaves County, NM: EPA's radon zone, explained

EPA's own radon map rates Chaves County zone 2 - moderate potential, predicting a county-wide average indoor level between 2 and 4 pCi/L. Nationally that's the 57th percentile for radon potential — Chaves County outranks 57% of every county EPA has rated.

Chaves County by the numbers

Chaves County, New Mexico is home to about 63,697 people across 6,067.178 square miles. Population density there runs about 10 people per square mile. By population, Chaves County is the 292nd largest of every county sharing its EPA zone — the 72nd percentile by population within that zone. Geologically, Chaves County is grouped into EPA Region 6 alongside 502 other counties that share its rock and soil setting.

What this actually means for a house in Chaves County

Chaves County's Zone 2 prediction clears the 1.3 pCi/L national indoor average without reaching EPA's own 4 pCi/L point for recommending a fix. A Zone 2 rating is a moderate county-wide average, not a guarantee about any one house in Chaves County — testing is the only way to know an individual home's actual level.

If Chaves County tests above the action level

For a Chaves 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 New Mexico's state radon program

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

Where Chaves 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.