Is Salem city, VA a radon risk area?

Salem city is mapped as Zone 1 - Highest Potential by EPA — meaning the county-wide average indoor level is predicted above 4 pCi/L. That puts Salem city in the 84th percentile nationally for radon potential — higher than 84% of the counties EPA has rated.

Where Salem city sits nationally

About 25,908 people live in Salem city, Virginia, spread over 14.517 square miles. That works out to roughly 1,785 people per square mile. Rank 506 by population within its EPA zone puts Salem city at the 53rd percentile among zone peers.

Why the zone isn't the answer by itself

Salem city 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 Salem city 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 Salem city

Nothing about Salem city's EPA zone changes the mitigation number: $800–$2,500 nationally (around $1,200 typical), set by the house's foundation rather than the county it sits in — and only relevant once a test actually clears 4 pCi/L.

Find Virginia's state radon program

Salem city's test kit answers today; a Airthings radon monitor keeps answering for Salem city over time. Affiliate link, RadonZoneCheck earns a commission there, at no extra cost to you. Code RADONZONE-10OFF takes 10% off at checkout.

More on how this number was built

The methodology guide shows exactly which EPA and Census sources feed Salem city's numbers. Whatever zone Salem city carries, the zone explainer covers what it does and doesn't tell you about any one house.