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Radon Levels in Becker County, Minnesota

EPA puts Becker County in Zone 1, its highest radon zone, and high results are common there: 52.2% of the 46 radon tests reported to CDC (2023) came back at or above 4 pCi/L. Homes with elevated levels occur in all three zones, so only a test measures yours.

Data checked By Radon411Methodology

  • Share at 4+ pCi/L

    52.2%

    17.6 pts above MN

    Becker
    52.2%
    Minnesota
    34.6%

    46 tests, 2023

  • Median result

    4.1pCi/L

    Action level reached

    Becker
    4.1 pCi/L
    EPA
    4.0 pCi/L

    Midpoint of the tests, 2023

  • Tests reported

    46

    52nd of 62 by tests

    Becker
    46
    Hennepin
    6,545

    Reported to CDC before any fix, 2023

  • EPA radon zone

    Zone 1

    Highest potential

    1. Zone 1
    2. 2
    3. 3

    1 highest, 3 lowest

    EPA predicts over 4 pCi/L indoors

  • Rank in Minnesota

    20 of 62

    Middle half

    Becker
    52.2%
    Renville
    75.7%

    By share, of 62 with 30+ tests

Read a result for Becker County

Starts at Becker County's median, 4.1 pCi/L

4.1pCi/L

EPA’s own thresholds; the figures are the area’s, never this home’s.

EPA’s reading of 4.1 pCi/L

At or above 4 pCi/L

  1. Under 20 to 1.9 pCi/L
  2. 2 to 4consider a fix
  3. 4 and aboveEPA says fix it

This result is at or above 4 pCi/L. EPA recommends fixing a home when the radon level is 4 pCi/L or higher. Becker County's median reported result, 2023.

The data

Becker County, At a glance

Becker County at a glance

Predicted: EPA radon zone

EPA Zone 1: highest predicted potential

EPA puts all of Becker County in and predicts an average indoor of greater than 4 pCi/L (greater than 150 Bq/m³) across the county. That is one forecast for the whole county, not a reading of any address in it; homes above EPA's turn up in all three zones.

USGS geologic potential: High across 100% of the county's area

Predicted: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Measured: tests reported to CDC

Radon tests reported for Becker County, 2023

Share of reported tests at or above 4 pCi/L, by year, Becker County
Share of reported tests at or above 4 pCi/L, by year, Becker County
YearShare of reported tests at or above 4 pCi/L
201439.7%
201551.0%
201649.0%
201751.9%
201857.6%
201955.3%
202037.0%
202141.7%
202269.4%
202352.2%

2023: 52.2%. Across these years the share ran from 37.0% to 69.4%. Each column counts radon tests reported to CDC that year, not homes.

What these figures count

These are the 46 tests reported to CDC for Becker County over 2023, many from homes being sold or already suspected of a problem: they describe the county's reported tests, not this house.

Measured: CDC tracking data. Figure above: 2023. Measured data period: 2005 to 2023 (every CDC figure on file).

How to read these figures

Becker County, Compared

Becker County radon figures, compared

Calculated by Radon411

More than half: 52.2% of the 46 radon tests reported to CDC for Becker County in 2023 read at least 4 pCi/L. That places it 20th of 62 Minnesota counties with 30 or more tests for the same period. That is 17.6 points above the 34.6% pooled from 86 Minnesota counties.

The median result, 4.1 pCi/L, sits above EPA's 4 pCi/L action level, and the top reported result was 14.9 pCi/L. The rest split 26.1% under 2 pCi/L and 21.7% from 2 to 4 (Minnesota: 36.6% and 28.9%). Zone 1 on EPA's map (predicted average above 4 pCi/L) and a 52.2% share point the same way here.

2 of its 3 bordering counties with figures ran higher, led by Clay County at 65.0%; Hubbard County reported 46.0%. Statewide for the same period, Renville County reported the highest share (75.7%) and Lake County the lowest (3.8%).

The busiest year on file was 2015, with 143 tests reported; the quietest, 2023, had 46.

Over 10 years of annual figures the share rose 12.5 points, from 39.7% in 2014 to 52.2% in 2023; its peak was 69.4% in 2022. Nationally, every county with a figure for the same period pools to 33.4%; Becker County sits 18.8 points above it.

Share of reported tests at or above 4 pCi/L by year, Becker County against Minnesota2014 to 2023, years with 30 or more tests: Becker County 39.7% to 52.2%, the state's pooled share 34.6% in 2023.
Becker CountyMinnesota, pooled
Share of reported tests at or above 4 pCi/L by year, Becker County against Minnesota: data table
YearTestsBecker County, at or above 4 pCi/LMinnesota, pooled
201412139.7%42.9%
201514351.0%43.6%
20169849.0%37.0%
20178151.9%38.2%
201813257.6%38.3%
20194755.3%36.1%
20204637.0%31.8%
20216041.7%33.1%
20226269.4%31.6%
20234652.2%34.6%
Becker County against Minnesota, the United States and nearby counties, 2023
AreaTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedianDifference from Becker County
Becker County4652.2%4.1 pCi/LThis county
Minnesota, pooled86 counties, pooled22,44934.6%Not pooled−17.6 points
United States, pooled642 counties, pooled128,74033.4%Not pooled−18.8 points
Renville Countyhighest in the state3775.7%6.3 pCi/L+23.5 points
Lake Countylowest in the state783.8%1.3 pCi/L−48.4 points
Clay County, MNborders it10065.0%5.5 pCi/L+12.8 points
Otter Tail County, MNborders it17161.4%4.8 pCi/L+9.2 points
Mahnomen County, MNborders it1154.5%5.1 pCi/L+2.3 points
Clearwater County, MNborders it1154.5%4.7 pCi/L+2.3 points
Hubbard County, MNborders it6346.0%3.8 pCi/L−6.2 points
Wadena County, MNborders it1540.0%2.8 pCi/L−12.2 points
Norman County, MNborders it837.5%3.0 pCi/L−14.7 points
Where Becker County's reported results fell, 2023, beside Minnesota and the United States
ResultBecker County testsBecker County shareMinnesota shareU.S. shareAgainst Minnesota
Under 2 pCi/L1226.1%36.6%41.4%−10.5 points
2 to 4 pCi/L1021.7%28.9%25.2%−7.2 points
4 pCi/L and above2452.2%34.6%33.4%+17.6 points
Becker County ranked among the 62 Minnesota counties with 30 or more tests, by share at or above 4 pCi/L, 2023
CountyRankTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedian
Nobles County15 of 624158.5%4.7 pCi/L
McLeod County16 of 6213155.7%4.7 pCi/L
Redwood County17 of 623154.8%4.6 pCi/L
Fillmore County18 of 6211853.4%4.2 pCi/L
Jackson County19 of 624452.3%4.1 pCi/L
Becker County20 of 624652.2%4.1 pCi/L
Steele County21 of 6214051.4%4.0 pCi/L
Pope County22 of 625550.9%4.2 pCi/L
Goodhue County23 of 6221849.5%3.9 pCi/L
Meeker County24 of 625949.2%3.9 pCi/L
Douglas County25 of 6214548.3%3.7 pCi/L
Becker County radon tests by year, against Minnesota's pooled share
YearTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedianHighestMinnesota, pooledChange from the row before
20234652.2%4.1 pCi/L14.9 pCi/L34.6%−17.2 points
20226269.4%5.4 pCi/L16.6 pCi/L31.6%+27.7 points
20216041.7%3.4 pCi/L21.5 pCi/L33.1%+4.7 points
20204637.0%3.0 pCi/L12.5 pCi/L31.8%−18.3 points
20194755.3%4.3 pCi/L45.7 pCi/L36.1%−2.3 points
201813257.6%4.5 pCi/L39.8 pCi/L38.3%+5.7 points
20178151.9%4.1 pCi/L41.1 pCi/L38.2%+2.9 points
20169849.0%3.8 pCi/L23.5 pCi/L37.0%−2.0 points
201514351.0%4.0 pCi/L20.7 pCi/L43.6%+11.3 points
201412139.7%3.4 pCi/L44.9 pCi/L42.9%First on file

Pooled shares: Radon411's sum of CDC's county counts for one period.

Becker County, State data

Minnesota's own radon test data

Measured

What Minnesota's own agencies publish about radon tests in Becker County, with their period. These are not CDC's figures and are never added to them.

MeasuredState figures, not CDC's

What the Minnesota Department of Health reports for Becker County

Radon Testing (MN Public Health Data Access Portal): home radon tests reported voluntarily by private laboratories and licensed radon measurement professionals, counted by property. Period: 2016-2025.

Share with one or more tests at or above 4 pCi/L

54.3%

324 properties tested with one or more tests at or above 4 pCi/L

Median result

4.0 pCi/L

Average result

5.1 pCi/L

Tests behind these figures

60 properties tested a year on average

  • MDH says these data do not include all of the radon tests conducted in Minnesota.
  • Post-mitigation tests are excluded from the averages and the median; the percentages use each property's highest test.
  • Each home is unique and can have very different results than a neighbor's home; the only way to know is to test.
  • These figures describe tests reported to the Minnesota Department of Health in this area. They count a different set of tests than CDC's figures and are not a reading of any one home.

Measured: Minnesota Department of Health data, 2016-2025.

Becker County, Geology

The ground under Becker County

Predicted

USGS's geologic map puts all of Becker County's mapped land in one class: high radon potential. The map puts 57.2% of Becker County in the area it calls Central Lowland-Western Lake Section and 42.8% in Central Lowland-Till Prairie. USGS gives both a radon index of 14, in the high band (12 to 17).

USGS's geologic areas under Becker County
AreaThe rock, in USGS's wordsPotentialRadon indexShare of land
Central Lowland-Western Lake SectionSandy calcareous till derived from carbonate rocks.High1457.2%
Central Lowland-Till PrairieSilty and clayey till derived from shale and sandstone.High1442.8%

Names, descriptions and indexes: U.S. Geological Survey, Geologic Radon Potential Map (2025). Shares: Radon411, from the map cut to the boundary.

Becker County beside the ground around it

Becker County has more high-potential ground than Minnesota as a whole: 100% of its land against 61.1%. Of the 7 counties that border it, none has as large a share of high-potential ground; Mahnomen County comes nearest at 100%.

Share of land by USGS radon potential: Becker County, the 7 counties bordering it and Minnesota
AreaEPA zoneLow potentialModerate potentialHigh potential
Becker CountyZone 1NoneNone100%
Otter Tail CountyZone 1NoneNone100%
Mahnomen CountyZone 1NoneNone100%
Hubbard CountyZone 1None1.0%99.0%
Clay CountyZone 1NoneNone100%
Wadena CountyZone 1None0.9%99.1%
Norman CountyZone 1NoneNone100%
Clearwater CountyZone 2None30.4%69.6%
Minnesota87 counties, pooled by land areaVariesNone38.9%61.1%

The map rates the ground, not the air in any home.

Local help

Becker County, Local resources

Radon testing and mitigation in Becker County

Listed radon professionals by town: Detroit Lakes

What Minnesota's program says
Phone
651-201-4601
Email
health.indoorair@state.mn.us
Licensing of radon professionals
The Radon Licensing Act requires anyone who performs a radon test or radon mitigation, in a building they do not own or lease, must be licensed by MDH.
Disclosure when a home is sold or rented
The Minnesota Radon Awareness Act requires specific disclosure and education be provided to potential home buyers during residential real estate transactions in Minnesota.

What it means

Becker County, Questions

Questions about radon in Becker County

Are radon levels high in Becker County?

In 2023, 52.2% of the radon tests reported to CDC for Becker County, Minnesota were at or above 4 pCi/L, and the median reported pre-mitigation result was 4.1 pCi/L. Of 62 Minnesota counties with 30 or more tests for the same period, 19 reported a higher share; pooled, the state comes to 34.6%.

Which counties border Becker County?

Becker County borders 7 counties: Otter Tail County, Mahnomen County, Hubbard County, Clay County, Wadena County, Norman County and Clearwater County.

Products

Becker County, Products

Testing a home in Becker County

In Becker County, 52.2% of 46 tests reported to CDC in 2023 reached 4 pCi/L, against 34.6% pooled across Minnesota. In Zone 1 the year-round level in Becker County is the one to know: a long-term test (more than 90 days) or a monitor, with a short-term kit for a first answer.

Test kits and monitors3

See every kit and monitor

Becker County is in EPA Zone 1, the highest predicted radon potential. Best radon monitors for Zone 1 counties like Becker County

Explore

Becker County, Bordering counties

Counties bordering Becker County

Calculated by Radon411

Becker County, Cities and towns

Cities and towns in Becker County

The Census Bureau estimates 35,497 residents in Becker County for July 1, 2025, 313 more than in 2020 (+0.9%). That works out to 27 people per square mile of land. Its largest town, Detroit Lakes, has 10,019 residents, 28.2% of the total. Together its 7 incorporated places hold 36.8% of those residents; the other 63.2% live outside any of them. Reported testing is thin here: 46 tests over 2023, or 1.3 for every 1,000 residents (2025 estimate), where Minnesota as a whole comes to 3.9.

From Detroit Lakes to Wolf Lake, CDC publishes no figure by town: each reads Becker County's.

The cities and towns in Becker County by residents, July 1, 2025
PlaceResidentsSince 2020Share of residents
Detroit Lakes10,019Level28.2%
Frazee1,310−1.4%3.7%
Lake Park711−2.5%2.0%
Audubon567+0.4%1.6%
Ogema200−2.0%0.6%
Callaway176+0.6%0.5%
Wolf Lake67−2.9%0.2%

7 incorporated places, as listed in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 place reference files. Residents: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates for July 1, 2025 (Vintage 2025).

Becker County, Homes

Homes in Becker County

Becker County is a place of houses on their own lots: 79% of its 19,869 homes are detached single-family houses, against 66% across Minnesota. Half of its homes were built before 1980, close to Minnesota's 1978: 26% date from before 1960 and 29% from 2000 or later. Owners live in 78% of the occupied homes (Minnesota: 72%), so for most households a test and a fix are their own to order.

Homes in Becker County, Minnesota, 2019 to 2023
HomesBecker CountyMinnesota
Housing units19,8692,519,538
Detached houses79%66%
In buildings of 5 or more9%19%
Mobile homes8%3%
Built before 196026%29%
Built since 200029%22%
Middle year built19801978
Owner-occupied78%72%

Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2019 to 2023: estimates from a sample of homes, looser for a small place. Shares by Radon411.