Wayne County, WV: EPA's radon zone, explained

EPA places Wayne County in Zone 2 - Moderate Potential — a predicted county-wide average indoor radon level between 2 and 4 pCi/L, based on the geology, soil and aerial radioactivity data behind EPA's national map. Wayne County sits at the 53rd percentile nationally for radon potential — above 53 of every 100 rated counties.

Where Wayne County sits nationally

Wayne County, West Virginia is home to about 37,589 people across 506.005 square miles. That works out to roughly 74 people per square mile. By population, Wayne County is the 418th largest of every county sharing its EPA zone — the 60th percentile by population within that zone. Geologically, Wayne 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 Wayne County

Call it a middle case: above the 1.3 pCi/L most US homes average, below the 4 pCi/L line EPA uses to recommend mitigation — that's Wayne County's Zone 2 prediction. A Zone 2 rating is a moderate county-wide average, not a guarantee about any one house in Wayne County — testing is the only way to know an individual home's actual level.

Testing and mitigation in Wayne County

For a Wayne 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 West Virginia's state radon program

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

Wayne County's zone, rank and region all trace back to named EPA and Census sources — the methodology guide lists exactly which ones. If you're unsure why a low zone still deserves a test, the zone explainer covers that directly.