Deschutes County, OR: EPA's radon zone, explained

EPA places Deschutes County in Zone 3 - Low Potential — a predicted county-wide average indoor radon level below 2 pCi/L, based on the geology, soil and aerial radioactivity data behind EPA's national map. Nationally that's the 29th percentile for radon potential — Deschutes County outranks 29% of every county EPA has rated.

Where Deschutes County sits nationally

Deschutes County, Oregon is home to about 211,535 people across 3,017.61 square miles. That works out to roughly 70 people per square mile. By population, Deschutes County is the 123rd largest of every county sharing its EPA zone — the 88th percentile by population within that zone. EPA's geology-based Region 10 groups Deschutes County with 141 other counties nationally sharing its underlying rock and soil profile.

Why the zone isn't the answer by itself

A Zone 3 county like Deschutes County is predicted closer to the 0.4 pCi/L typical outdoors than to EPA's 4 pCi/L action level. Even at Zone 3, Deschutes County homes are not guaranteed a low reading — zone is a county-wide average, and EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.

Next steps for a home in Deschutes County

For a Deschutes 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 Oregon's state radon program

For Deschutes County, an ongoing number beats a one-time test - a Airthings radon monitor tracks Deschutes 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 Deschutes County's figures come from

The methodology guide shows exactly which EPA and Census sources feed Deschutes County's numbers. If you're unsure why a low zone still deserves a test, the zone explainer covers that directly.