Hayes County, NE: EPA's radon zone, explained

EPA's own radon map rates Hayes County zone 1 - highest potential, predicting a county-wide average indoor level above 4 pCi/L. Rank it against the rest of the country and Hayes County lands in the 66th percentile for radon potential.

Where Hayes County sits nationally

Hayes County, Nebraska is home to about 846 people across 713.065 square miles. Population density there runs about 1 people per square mile. By population, Hayes County is the 1063rd largest of every county sharing its EPA zone — the 0th percentile by population within that zone. EPA's geology-based Region 7 groups Hayes County with 411 other counties nationally sharing its underlying rock and soil profile.

Zone vs. an actual test

Hayes 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 Hayes 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 Hayes County

For a Hayes 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 Nebraska's state radon program

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

Where Hayes County's figures come from

Hayes County's zone, rank and region all trace back to named EPA and Census sources — the methodology guide lists exactly which ones. Whatever zone Hayes County carries, the zone explainer covers what it does and doesn't tell you about any one house.