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

Russell County is mapped as Zone 1 - Highest Potential by EPA — meaning the county-wide average indoor level is predicted above 4 pCi/L. Rank it against the rest of the country and Russell County lands in the 84th percentile for radon potential.

How Russell County compares

Russell County, Virginia is home to about 25,420 people across 473.524 square miles. Averaged across its land area, Russell County runs about 54 people per square mile. By population, Russell County is the 513th largest of every county sharing its EPA zone — the 52nd percentile by population within that zone. Geologically, Russell County is grouped into EPA Region 3 alongside 244 other counties that share its rock and soil setting.

What this actually means for a house in Russell County

Where the national indoor average runs about 1.3 pCi/L, Russell County's Zone 1 rating puts its predicted county average above EPA's 4 pCi/L action level itself. Being in Zone 1 raises the odds Russell 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.

Next steps for a home in Russell County

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

The methodology guide shows exactly which EPA and Census sources feed Russell County's numbers. The guide to what a radon zone actually means covers why testing matters in every zone, not just Zone 1.