Richmond County, VA: EPA's radon zone, explained

EPA places Richmond 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, Richmond County ranks higher in radon potential than 6% of rated counties (the 6th percentile).

Richmond County by the numbers

Richmond County, Virginia is home to about 9,215 people across 191.478 square miles. Averaged across its land area, Richmond County runs about 48 people per square mile. By population, Richmond County is the 842nd largest of every county sharing its EPA zone — the 18th percentile by population within that zone. EPA's geology-based Region 3 groups Richmond County with 244 other counties nationally sharing its underlying rock and soil profile.

Why the zone isn't the answer by itself

Richmond County's predicted average sits below the national indoor average of about 1.3 pCi/L, well under EPA's 4 pCi/L action level. A Zone 3 label describes Richmond County's average, not any one basement or slab in it — testing is still the only way an individual homeowner actually finds out.

If Richmond County tests above the action level

For a Richmond 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 Virginia's state radon program

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

Where Richmond County's figures come from

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