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Radon Levels in Albemarle County, Virginia

EPA puts Albemarle County in Zone 2, its middle radon zone, and 24.7% of its 2,179 reported radon tests (2008 to 2017, laboratory totals) 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

    24.7%

    5.7 pts below VA

    Albemarle
    24.7%
    Virginia
    30.4%

    2,179 tests, 2008 to 2017

  • Median result

    2.1pCi/L

    Below action level

    Albemarle
    2.1 pCi/L
    EPA
    4.0 pCi/L

    Midpoint of the tests, 2008 to 2017

  • Tests reported

    2,179

    6th of 84 by tests

    Albemarle
    2,179
    Fairfax
    8,657

    Reported to CDC before any fix, 2008 to 2017

  • EPA radon zone

    Zone 2

    Moderate potential

    1. 1
    2. Zone 2
    3. 3

    1 highest, 3 lowest

    EPA predicts 2 to 4 pCi/L indoors

  • Rank in Virginia

    65 of 84

    Lowest quarter

    Albemarle
    24.7%
    Russell
    67.3%

    By share, of 84 with 30+ tests

Read a result for Albemarle County

Starts at Albemarle County's median, 2.1 pCi/L

2.1pCi/L

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

EPA’s reading of 2.1 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. Albemarle County's median reported result, 2008 to 2017.

Interpret this readingWhat a fix costs

The data

Albemarle County, At a glance

Albemarle County at a glance

Predicted: EPA radon zone

EPA Zone 2: moderate predicted potential

Albemarle County is a county: EPA's forecast for it as a whole is an average indoor of 2 to 4 pCi/L (75 to 150 Bq/m³). It describes no single address, and homes above EPA's are found in every zone, this one included.

USGS geologic potential: Moderate across 71% of the county's area

Predicted: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Measured: tests reported to CDC

Radon tests reported for Albemarle County, 2008 to 2017, laboratory

Reported results by concentration band, Albemarle County, 2008 to 2017, laboratory
Under 2 pCi/L: 47%2 to 4 pCi/L: 28%4 pCi/L and above: 25%

Of 2,179 pre-mitigation tests reported to CDC, not homes in this area.

Reported results by concentration band, Albemarle County, 2008 to 2017, laboratory: data table
Result bandTests MeasuredShare Measured
Under 2 pCi/L1,02246.9%
2 to 4 pCi/L61828.4%
4 pCi/L and above53924.7%
What these figures count

These are the 2,179 tests reported to CDC for Albemarle County over 2008 to 2017 (laboratory totals), 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: 2008 to 2017, laboratory. Measured data period: 2005 to 2017 (every CDC figure on file).

How to read these figures

Albemarle County, Compared

Albemarle County radon figures, compared

Calculated by Radon411

Albemarle County's 2,179 reported tests over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals had a middle value of 2.1 pCi/L and a maximum of 62.4 pCi/L, and 24.7% reached 4 pCi/L. Virginia as a whole (131 Virginia counties, pooled) comes to 30.4%: 5.7 points higher than here.

Among its state's counties it ranks 65th of 84 Virginia counties with 30 or more tests for the same period. Statewide for the same period, Russell County reported the highest share (67.3%) and Norfolk city the lowest (2.7%).

Below the action level, 1,022 tests (46.9%) came in under 2 pCi/L, against 44.7% statewide, and 618 tests (28.4%) fell between 2 and 4, against 24.9% statewide. CDC's ten-year totals for Albemarle County went from 1,596 tests (2005 to 2014) to 2,179 (2008 to 2017), the share going from 24.8% to 24.7%.

EPA's 1993 zone map puts Albemarle County in Zone 2, a predicted county average between 2 and 4 pCi/L. USGS geology rates 71% of the county's land moderate radon potential.

Next door, the shares run from 21.0% in Charlottesville city to 50.1% in Augusta County, with Charlottesville city below Albemarle County.

CDC also counts 30 tests taken after mitigation in Albemarle County for the same period: tests in homes where a fix was already in.

Albemarle County against Virginia, the United States and nearby counties, 2008 to 2017, laboratory
AreaTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedianDifference from Albemarle County
Albemarle County2,17924.7%2.1 pCi/LThis county
Virginia, pooled131 counties, pooled53,19930.4%Not pooled+5.7 points
United States, pooled2,661 counties, pooled2,013,54435.7%Not pooled+11.0 points
Russell Countyhighest in the state4967.3%6.7 pCi/L+42.6 points
Norfolk citylowest in the state732.7%0.5 pCi/L−22.0 points
Augusta County, VAborders it62550.1%4.0 pCi/L+25.4 points
Rockingham County, VAborders it1,71443.9%3.3 pCi/L+19.2 points
Louisa County, VAborders it28938.1%2.8 pCi/L+13.4 points
Orange County, VAborders it46236.1%2.8 pCi/L+11.4 points
Greene County, VAborders it21434.6%2.8 pCi/L+9.9 points
Nelson County, VAborders it12228.7%2.6 pCi/L+4.0 points
Fluvanna County, VAborders it38828.1%2.5 pCi/L+3.4 points
Charlottesville city, VAborders it83421.0%1.8 pCi/L−3.7 points
Buckingham County, VAborders it2913.8%1.5 pCi/L−10.9 points
Where Albemarle County's reported results fell, 2008 to 2017, laboratory, beside Virginia and the United States
ResultAlbemarle County testsAlbemarle County shareVirginia shareU.S. shareAgainst Virginia
Under 2 pCi/L1,02246.9%44.7%39.6%+2.2 points
2 to 4 pCi/L61828.4%24.9%24.7%+3.5 points
4 pCi/L and above53924.7%30.4%35.7%−5.7 points
Albemarle County ranked among the 84 Virginia counties with 30 or more tests, by share at or above 4 pCi/L, 2008 to 2017, laboratory
CountyRankTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedian
Martinsville city60 of 843327.3%1.8 pCi/L
Henrico County61 of 8460727.0%2.1 pCi/L
Fredericksburg city62 of 8437526.1%2.3 pCi/L
Roanoke city63 of 841,01025.9%2.3 pCi/L
Lynchburg city64 of 8475325.9%2.2 pCi/L
Albemarle County65 of 842,17924.7%2.1 pCi/L
Bedford County66 of 8474923.5%2.1 pCi/L
Hanover County67 of 8416523.0%1.9 pCi/L
Roanoke County68 of 841,54122.1%1.9 pCi/L
Franklin County69 of 8457221.2%2.0 pCi/L
Charlottesville city70 of 8483421.0%1.8 pCi/L
Albemarle County ten-year laboratory totals, against Virginia's pooled share
PeriodTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedianHighestVirginia, pooledChange from the row before
2008 to 20172,17924.7%2.1 pCi/L62.4 pCi/L30.4%−0.9 points
2007 to 20161,99025.6%2.2 pCi/L62.4 pCi/L30.6%−0.6 points
2006 to 20151,66726.2%2.2 pCi/L62.4 pCi/L30.7%+1.4 points
2005 to 20141,59624.8%2.1 pCi/L62.4 pCi/L30.3%First on file

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

Albemarle County, Geology

The ground under Albemarle County

Predicted

USGS's geologic map splits Albemarle County: 71.1% of its land is moderate radon potential and 28.9% high. The map puts 65.6% of Albemarle County in the area it calls Blue Ridge and 28.9% in Inner Piedmont, with one smaller area beside them. USGS gives the first a radon index of 10, in the moderate band (9 to 11), and the second 12, in the high band (12 to 17).

USGS's geologic areas under Albemarle County
AreaThe rock, in USGS's wordsPotentialRadon indexShare of land
Blue RidgeGranite, pegmatite, monazite, schist, and gneiss.Moderate1065.6%
Inner PiedmontGranite, pegmatites, granitic gneiss, schist and gneiss, slate, and phyllite.High1228.9%
Mesozoic BasinsSandstone, siltstone and lacustrine black shale.Moderate115.5%

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

Albemarle County beside the ground around it

Virginia as a whole has more high-potential ground than Albemarle County: 47.9% of its land, against 28.9% here. Of the 9 counties that border it, 6 have more high-potential ground, Fluvanna County the most at 100%.

Share of land by USGS radon potential: Albemarle County, the 9 counties bordering it and Virginia
AreaEPA zoneLow potentialModerate potentialHigh potential
Albemarle CountyZone 2None71.1%28.9%
Charlottesville cityZone 2None100%None
Fluvanna CountyZone 1NoneNone100%
Nelson CountyZone 2None77.8%22.2%
Buckingham CountyZone 1None31.4%68.6%
Greene CountyZone 2None100%None
Louisa CountyZone 1NoneNone100%
Orange CountyZone 1None13.2%86.8%
Augusta CountyZone 1None4.9%95.1%
Rockingham CountyZone 1None4.8%95.2%
Virginia133 counties, pooled by land areaVaries20.6%30.0%47.9%

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

Local help

Albemarle County, Local resources

Radon testing and mitigation in Albemarle County

What Virginia's program says
Phone
(804) 864-8161
Email
Radon@vdh.virginia.gov
Licensing of radon professionals
The Code of Virginia requires that Radon testers and mitigators be currently certified by either the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) or the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB).

What it means

Albemarle County, Questions

Questions about radon in Albemarle County

Are radon levels high in Albemarle County?

Over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals, 24.7% of the radon tests reported to CDC for Albemarle County, Virginia were at or above 4 pCi/L, and the median reported pre-mitigation result was 2.1 pCi/L. Of 84 Virginia counties with 30 or more tests for the same period, 64 reported a higher share; pooled, the state comes to 30.4%.

Which counties border Albemarle County?

Albemarle County borders 9 counties: Charlottesville city, Fluvanna County, Nelson County, Buckingham County, Greene County, Louisa County, Orange County, Augusta County and Rockingham County.

Products

Albemarle County, Products

Testing a home in Albemarle County

In Albemarle County, 24.7% of 2,179 tests reported to CDC over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals reached 4 pCi/L, against 30.4% pooled across Virginia. In Zone 2 a short-term kit (2 to 90 days) is the quick first check in Albemarle County; a long-term test tells the year-round average.

Test kits and monitors3

See every kit and monitor

Best radon monitors for Albemarle County homes, compared

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Albemarle County, Bordering counties

Counties bordering Albemarle County

Calculated by Radon411

Albemarle County, Cities and towns

Cities and towns in Albemarle County

Albemarle County is growing: the Census Bureau puts it at 118,356 residents on July 1, 2025, up 5.1% from 112,578 in 2020. That works out to 164 people per square mile of land. Scottsville, the largest place on its list (549 residents in all), extends beyond Albemarle County, so no share of the total is worked out for it. Testing is reported here more often than across the state: CDC's 2,179 reported tests for 2008 to 2017 come to 18.4 for every 1,000 residents (2025 estimate), against 6.0 for Virginia.

Scottsville is the one incorporated place here; CDC publishes no figure by town, so it reads Albemarle County's.

Scottsville, Albemarle County: residents on July 1, 2025
PlaceResidentsSince 2020Share of residents
Scottsvilleextends beyond Albemarle County549+5.2%Counted whole

One incorporated place, 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). A place that extends beyond Albemarle County is counted whole, so it has no share.

Albemarle County, Homes

Homes in Albemarle County

Of Albemarle County's 48,360 homes, 60% are detached houses, against 61% across Virginia; 20% are in buildings of five or more homes. Half of its homes were built before 1991, close to Virginia's 1984: 11% date from before 1960 and 33% from 2000 or later. 66% of occupied homes are lived in by their owner (Virginia: 67%); in the rest a tenant can run a test, but a fix is the landlord's to make.

Homes in Albemarle County, Virginia, 2019 to 2023
HomesAlbemarle CountyVirginia
Housing units48,3603,654,784
Detached houses60%61%
In buildings of 5 or more20%19%
Mobile homes2%4%
Built before 196011%19%
Built since 200033%25%
Middle year built19911984
Owner-occupied66%67%

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