Cottonwood County, MN: EPA's radon zone, explained

EPA places Cottonwood 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. Rank it against the rest of the country and Cottonwood County lands in the 76th percentile for radon potential.

Cottonwood County by the numbers

Cottonwood County, Minnesota is home to about 11,338 people across 639.973 square miles. Population density there runs about 18 people per square mile. By population, Cottonwood County is the 738th largest of every county sharing its EPA zone — the 31st percentile by population within that zone. EPA's geology-based Region 5 groups Cottonwood County with 523 other counties nationally sharing its underlying rock and soil profile.

Zone vs. an actual test

Cottonwood 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. Some Cottonwood County homes will test comfortably under the action level despite the county's Zone 1 rating — the only way to know which kind of home you have is an actual test.

Next steps for a home in Cottonwood County

For a Cottonwood 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 Minnesota's state radon program

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

Where Cottonwood 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.