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Radon Levels in Dakota County, Minnesota

EPA puts Dakota County in Zone 1, its highest radon zone, and 34.6% of its 2,183 reported radon tests (2023) were 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

How to test this homeFind a certified tester

  • Share at 4+ pCi/L

    34.6%

    0.0 pts above MN

    Dakota
    34.6%
    Minnesota
    34.6%

    2,183 tests, 2023

  • Median result

    2.9pCi/L

    Below action level

    Dakota
    2.9 pCi/L
    EPA
    4.0 pCi/L

    Midpoint of the tests, 2023

  • Tests reported

    2,183

    3rd of 62 by tests

    Dakota
    2,183
    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

    46 of 62

    Middle half

    Dakota
    34.6%
    Renville
    75.7%

    By share, of 62 with 30+ tests

Read a result for Dakota County

Starts at Dakota County's median, 2.9 pCi/L

2.9pCi/L

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

EPA’s reading of 2.9 pCi/L

Between 2 and 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 between 2 and 4 pCi/L. EPA recommends considering a fix when the level is between 2 and 4 pCi/L. Dakota County's median reported result, 2023.

Interpret this readingWhat a fix costs

The data

Dakota County, At a glance

Dakota County at a glance

Predicted: EPA radon zone

EPA Zone 1: highest predicted potential

EPA puts all of Dakota 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 Dakota County, 2023

Share of reported tests at or above 4 pCi/L, by year, Dakota County
Share of reported tests at or above 4 pCi/L, by year, Dakota County
YearShare of reported tests at or above 4 pCi/L
201440.9%
201540.5%
201627.8%
201736.5%
201835.7%
201931.7%
202029.7%
202131.5%
202226.0%
202334.6%

2023: 34.6%. Across these years the share ran from 26.0% to 40.9%. Each column counts radon tests reported to CDC that year, not homes.

What these figures count

These are the 2,183 tests reported to CDC for Dakota 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

Dakota County, Compared

Dakota County radon figures, compared

Calculated by Radon411

In Dakota County, about 3 in 10 reported tests in 2023 (756 of 2,183) were at or above EPA's action level. Against the national pool of 33.4%, the gap is 1.2 points higher. Pooled across 86 Minnesota counties, the share is the same 34.6%.

Of 7 neighbours with a figure, 3 reported a larger share at or above 4 pCi/L and 4 a smaller one; the spread is 21.3% (Washington County) to 49.5% (Goodhue County). By share, Dakota County is 46th of 62 Minnesota counties with 30 or more tests for the same period.

Year by year, 2014 opened at 40.9% and 2023 closed at 34.6% (down 6.3 points), with 2014 the high at 40.9%. Half the tests came in under 2.9 pCi/L and half over it; the single highest reached 40.1 pCi/L. Below the action level, 723 tests (33.1%) came in under 2 pCi/L, against 36.6% statewide, and 704 tests (32.2%) fell between 2 and 4, against 28.9% statewide.

Zone 1 on EPA's map (predicted average above 4 pCi/L) and a 34.6% share point the same way here. USGS geology rates 100% of the county's land high radon potential.

The busiest year on file was 2018, with 3,653 tests reported; the quietest, 2019, had 1,608.

Share of reported tests at or above 4 pCi/L by year, Dakota County against Minnesota2014 to 2023, years with 30 or more tests: Dakota County 40.9% to 34.6%, the state's pooled share 34.6% in 2023.
Dakota CountyMinnesota, pooled
Share of reported tests at or above 4 pCi/L by year, Dakota County against Minnesota: data table
YearTestsDakota County, at or above 4 pCi/LMinnesota, pooled
20143,19140.9%42.9%
20152,90840.5%43.6%
20163,43827.8%37.0%
20173,00236.5%38.2%
20183,65335.7%38.3%
20191,60831.7%36.1%
20202,38829.7%31.8%
20212,97331.5%33.1%
20222,29726.0%31.6%
20232,18334.6%34.6%
Dakota County against Minnesota, the United States and nearby counties, 2023
AreaTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedianDifference from Dakota County
Dakota County2,18334.6%2.9 pCi/LThis county
Minnesota, pooled86 counties, pooled22,44934.6%Not pooledLevel
United States, pooled642 counties, pooled128,74033.4%Not pooled−1.2 points
Renville Countyhighest in the state3775.7%6.3 pCi/L+41.1 points
Lake Countylowest in the state783.8%1.3 pCi/L−30.8 points
Goodhue County, MNborders it21849.5%3.9 pCi/L+14.9 points
Scott County, MNborders it66941.4%3.4 pCi/L+6.8 points
Rice County, MNborders it29740.4%3.2 pCi/L+5.8 points
Hennepin County, MNborders it6,54532.0%2.7 pCi/L−2.6 points
Pierce County, WIborders it13630.9%2.7 pCi/L−3.7 points
Ramsey County, MNborders it2,21323.5%2.2 pCi/L−11.1 points
Washington County, MNborders it1,51821.3%1.9 pCi/L−13.3 points
Where Dakota County's reported results fell, 2023, beside Minnesota and the United States
ResultDakota County testsDakota County shareMinnesota shareU.S. shareAgainst Minnesota
Under 2 pCi/L72333.1%36.6%41.4%−3.5 points
2 to 4 pCi/L70432.2%28.9%25.2%+3.3 points
4 pCi/L and above75634.6%34.6%33.4%Level
Dakota 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
Pine County41 of 624839.6%2.5 pCi/L
Winona County42 of 6213938.8%3.0 pCi/L
Aitkin County43 of 623138.7%3.1 pCi/L
Morrison County44 of 626235.5%3.0 pCi/L
Chisago County45 of 6216634.9%2.9 pCi/L
Dakota County46 of 622,18334.6%2.9 pCi/L
Carver County47 of 6248934.6%2.8 pCi/L
Blue Earth County48 of 6239232.7%2.2 pCi/L
Hennepin County49 of 626,54532.0%2.7 pCi/L
Crow Wing County50 of 6217730.5%2.7 pCi/L
Itasca County51 of 6213726.3%1.9 pCi/L
Dakota County radon tests by year, against Minnesota's pooled share
YearTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedianHighestMinnesota, pooledChange from the row before
20232,18334.6%2.9 pCi/L40.1 pCi/L34.6%+8.6 points
20222,29726.0%2.1 pCi/L50.1 pCi/L31.6%−5.5 points
20212,97331.5%2.5 pCi/L308.8 pCi/L33.1%+1.8 points
20202,38829.7%2.7 pCi/L264.0 pCi/L31.8%−2.0 points
20191,60831.7%2.8 pCi/L59.4 pCi/L36.1%−4.0 points
20183,65335.7%3.0 pCi/L57.4 pCi/L38.3%−0.8 points
20173,00236.5%3.0 pCi/L97.3 pCi/L38.2%+8.7 points
20163,43827.8%2.3 pCi/L47.6 pCi/L37.0%−12.7 points
20152,90840.5%3.3 pCi/L48.2 pCi/L43.6%−0.4 points
20143,19140.9%3.2 pCi/L78.8 pCi/L42.9%First on file

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

Dakota County, State data

Minnesota's own radon test data

Measured

What Minnesota's own agencies publish about radon tests in Dakota 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 Dakota 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

33.9%

8,588 properties tested with one or more tests at or above 4 pCi/L

Median result

2.7 pCi/L

Average result

3.5 pCi/L

Tests behind these figures

2,532 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.

Dakota County, Geology

The ground under Dakota County

Predicted

USGS's geologic map puts all of Dakota County's mapped land in one class: high radon potential. The map puts 39.1% of Dakota County in the area it calls Central Lowland-Western Lake Section and 34.3% in Dissected Till Plains, with one smaller area beside them. USGS gives the first a radon index of 14 and the second 12, both in the high band (12 to 17).

USGS's geologic areas under Dakota County
AreaThe rock, in USGS's wordsPotentialRadon indexShare of land
Central Lowland-Western Lake SectionRed sandy till derived primarily from sandstone.High1439.1%
Dissected Till PlainsPre-Wisconsinan glacial deposits derived from limestone, dolomite, sandstone, shale, locally covered by Wisconsinan loess.High1234.3%
Central Lowland-Till PrairieSilty and clayey till derived from shale and sandstone.High1426.6%

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

Dakota County beside the ground around it

Dakota 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; Goodhue County comes nearest at 100%.

Share of land by USGS radon potential: Dakota County, the 7 counties bordering it and Minnesota
AreaEPA zoneLow potentialModerate potentialHigh potential
Dakota CountyZone 1NoneNone100%
Goodhue CountyZone 1NoneNone100%
Ramsey CountyZone 1NoneNone100%
Scott CountyZone 1NoneNone100%
Washington CountyZone 1NoneNone100%
Rice CountyZone 1NoneNone100%
Pierce County, WIZone 1NoneNone100%
Hennepin CountyZone 1NoneNone100%
Minnesota87 counties, pooled by land areaVariesNone38.9%61.1%

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

Local help

Dakota County, Local resources

Radon testing and mitigation in Dakota County

Listed radon businesses with an address in Dakota County:

Listed radon professionals by town: Eagan, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Inver Grove Heights, Farmington, Hastings, Northfield, South St. Paul

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

Dakota County, Questions

Questions about radon in Dakota County

Are radon levels high in Dakota County?

In 2023, 34.6% of the radon tests reported to CDC for Dakota County, Minnesota were at or above 4 pCi/L, and the median reported pre-mitigation result was 2.9 pCi/L. Of 62 Minnesota counties with 30 or more tests for the same period, 45 reported a higher share; pooled, the state comes to 34.6%.

Which counties border Dakota County?

Dakota County borders 7 counties: Goodhue County, MN, Ramsey County, MN, Scott County, MN, Washington County, MN, Rice County, MN, Pierce County, WI and Hennepin County, MN.

Products

Dakota County, Products

Testing a home in Dakota County

In Dakota County, 34.6% of 2,183 tests reported to CDC in 2023 reached 4 pCi/L, against 34.6% pooled across Minnesota. In Zone 1 the year-round level in Dakota 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

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

Explore

Dakota County, Bordering counties

Counties bordering Dakota County

Calculated by Radon411

Dakota County, Cities and towns

Cities and towns in Dakota County

The Census Bureau estimates 457,710 residents in Dakota County for July 1, 2025, 17,291 more than in 2020 (+3.9%). That works out to 814 people per square mile of land. No town dominates: Lakeville, the largest, has 79,270 residents, 17.3% of the total. CDC's 2,183 reported tests for 2023 work out to 4.8 per 1,000 residents (2025 estimate), close to Minnesota's 3.9.

From Lakeville to New Trier, CDC publishes no figure by town: each reads Dakota County's.

The 12 largest cities and towns in Dakota County by residents, July 1, 2025
PlaceResidentsSince 2020Share of residents
Lakeville79,270+13.2%17.3%
Eagan67,109−2.4%14.7%
Burnsville65,244+1.1%14.3%
Apple Valley55,248−1.8%12.1%
Inver Grove Heights36,873+2.9%8.1%
Rosemount31,881+23.6%7.0%
Farmington25,425+7.5%5.6%
Hastingsextends beyond Dakota County22,563+1.8%Counted whole
Northfieldextends beyond Dakota County21,992+5.6%Counted whole
West St. Paul21,950+6.8%4.8%
South St. Paul20,532−0.9%4.5%
Mendota Heights11,475−1.8%2.5%
  • Lilydale
  • Hampton
  • Sunfish Lake
  • Randolph
  • Vermillion
  • Mendota
  • Coates
  • Miesville
  • New Trier

21 incorporated places, as listed in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 place reference files. “(part)” marks a place that extends into another county. Residents: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates for July 1, 2025 (Vintage 2025). A place that extends beyond Dakota County is counted whole, so it has no share.

Dakota County, Homes

Homes in Dakota County

Of Dakota County's 176,447 homes, 58% are detached houses, against 66% across Minnesota; 19% are in buildings of five or more homes. Much of Dakota County is recent building: 25% of its homes have gone up since 2000 and the middle year built is 1988, against 1978 for Minnesota. Owners live in 75% of the occupied homes (Minnesota: 72%), so for most households a test and a fix are their own to order.

Homes in Dakota County, Minnesota, 2019 to 2023
HomesDakota CountyMinnesota
Housing units176,4472,519,538
Detached houses58%66%
In buildings of 5 or more19%19%
Mobile homes2%3%
Built before 196011%29%
Built since 200025%22%
Middle year built19881978
Owner-occupied75%72%

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