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

EPA places Hitchcock 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 Hitchcock County lands in the 68th percentile for radon potential.

How Hitchcock County compares

Hitchcock County, Nebraska is home to about 2,460 people across 709.951 square miles. Averaged across its land area, Hitchcock County runs about 3 people per square mile. By population, Hitchcock County is the 1003rd largest of every county sharing its EPA zone — the 6th percentile by population within that zone. EPA's geology-based Region 7 groups Hitchcock County with 411 other counties nationally sharing its underlying rock and soil profile.

Zone vs. an actual test

Hitchcock 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 Hitchcock 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 Hitchcock County

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

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