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Radon Levels in Scott County, Virginia

EPA puts Scott County in Zone 1, its highest radon zone, and high results are common there: 50.7% of the 75 radon tests reported to CDC (2008 to 2017, laboratory totals) 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

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  • Share at 4+ pCi/L

    50.7%

    20.3 pts above VA

    Scott
    50.7%
    Virginia
    30.4%

    75 tests, 2008 to 2017

  • Median result

    4.0pCi/L

    Action level reached

    Scott
    4.0 pCi/L
    EPA
    4.0 pCi/L

    Midpoint of the tests, 2008 to 2017

  • Tests reported

    75

    65th of 84 by tests

    Scott
    75
    Fairfax
    8,657

    Reported to CDC before any fix, 2008 to 2017

  • 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 Virginia

    11 of 84

    Top quarter

    Scott
    50.7%
    Russell
    67.3%

    By share, of 84 with 30+ tests

Read a result for Scott County

Starts at Scott County's median, 4.0 pCi/L

4.0pCi/L

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

EPA’s reading of 4.0 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. Scott County's median reported result, 2008 to 2017.

Interpret this readingWhat a fix costs

The data

Scott County, At a glance

Scott County at a glance

Predicted: EPA radon zone

EPA Zone 1: highest predicted potential

EPA puts all of Scott 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 94% of the county's area

Predicted: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Measured: tests reported to CDC

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

Reported results by concentration band, Scott County, 2008 to 2017, laboratory
Under 2 pCi/L: 33%2 to 4 pCi/L: 16%4 pCi/L and above: 51%

Of 75 pre-mitigation tests reported to CDC, not homes in this area.

Reported results by concentration band, Scott County, 2008 to 2017, laboratory: data table
Result bandTests MeasuredShare Measured
Under 2 pCi/L2533.3%
2 to 4 pCi/L1216.0%
4 pCi/L and above3850.7%
What these figures count

These are the 75 tests reported to CDC for Scott 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

Scott County, Compared

Scott County radon figures, compared

Calculated by Radon411

More than half: 50.7% of the 75 radon tests reported to CDC for Scott County over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals read at least 4 pCi/L. That places it 11th of 84 Virginia counties with 30 or more tests for the same period. That is 20.3 points above the 30.4% pooled from 131 Virginia counties.

The median result, 4.0 pCi/L, sits above EPA's 4 pCi/L action level, and the top reported result was 109.8 pCi/L. The rest split 33.3% under 2 pCi/L and 16.0% from 2 to 4 (Virginia: 44.7% and 24.9%). Zone 1 on EPA's map (predicted average above 4 pCi/L) and a 50.7% share point the same way here.

3 of its 5 bordering counties with figures ran higher, led by Russell County at 67.3%; Wise County reported 28.3%. Statewide for the same period, Russell County reported the highest share (67.3%) and Norfolk city the lowest (2.7%).

CDC's ten-year totals for Scott County went from 111 tests (2005 to 2014) to 75 (2008 to 2017), the share going from 44.1% to 50.7%.

Nationally, every county with a figure for the same period pools to 35.7%; Scott County sits 15.0 points above it.

Scott County against Virginia, the United States and nearby counties, 2008 to 2017, laboratory
AreaTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedianDifference from Scott County
Scott County7550.7%4.0 pCi/LThis county
Virginia, pooled131 counties, pooled53,19930.4%Not pooled−20.3 points
United States, pooled2,661 counties, pooled2,013,54435.7%Not pooled−15.0 points
Wythe Countyhighest in the state11965.5%6.0 pCi/L+14.8 points
Norfolk citylowest in the state732.7%0.5 pCi/L−48.0 points
Russell County, VAborders it4967.3%6.7 pCi/L+16.6 points
Washington County, VAborders it38458.1%4.8 pCi/L+7.4 points
Sullivan County, TNborders it1,79951.5%4.2 pCi/L+0.8 points
Lee County, VAborders it1450.0%4.9 pCi/L−0.7 points
Hawkins County, TNborders it28938.4%2.7 pCi/L−12.3 points
Wise County, VAborders it5328.3%1.3 pCi/L−22.4 points
Hancock County, TNborders it229.1%1.8 pCi/L−41.6 points
Where Scott County's reported results fell, 2008 to 2017, laboratory, beside Virginia and the United States
ResultScott County testsScott County shareVirginia shareU.S. shareAgainst Virginia
Under 2 pCi/L2533.3%44.7%39.6%−11.4 points
2 to 4 pCi/L1216.0%24.9%24.7%−8.9 points
4 pCi/L and above3850.7%30.4%35.7%+20.3 points
Scott 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
Giles County6 of 8417456.9%4.8 pCi/L
Patrick County7 of 845354.7%5.3 pCi/L
Staunton city8 of 8433852.7%4.2 pCi/L
Bristol city9 of 8411050.9%4.2 pCi/L
Rockbridge County10 of 8411450.9%4.0 pCi/L
Scott County11 of 847550.7%4.0 pCi/L
Augusta County12 of 8462550.1%4.0 pCi/L
Pulaski County13 of 8426849.6%3.9 pCi/L
Waynesboro city14 of 8419648.5%3.8 pCi/L
Clarke County15 of 8435047.7%3.5 pCi/L
King George County16 of 8448845.5%3.6 pCi/L
Scott County ten-year laboratory totals, against Virginia's pooled share
PeriodTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedianHighestVirginia, pooledChange from the row before
2008 to 20177550.7%4.0 pCi/L109.8 pCi/L30.4%+1.3 points
2007 to 20167749.4%3.8 pCi/L109.8 pCi/L30.6%+5.3 points
2006 to 201511144.1%3.1 pCi/L109.8 pCi/L30.7%Level
2005 to 201411144.1%3.1 pCi/L109.8 pCi/L30.3%First on file

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

Scott County, Geology

The ground under Scott County

Predicted

Most of the ground under Scott County is one class on USGS's geologic map: 94.1% of its land is high radon potential, with 5.9% moderate. The map puts 93.9% of Scott County in the area it calls Valley and Ridge and 5.9% in Appalachian Plateau. USGS gives the first a radon index of 15, in the high band (12 to 17), and the second 10, in the moderate band (9 to 11).

USGS's geologic areas under Scott County
AreaThe rock, in USGS's wordsPotentialRadon indexShare of land
Valley and RidgeCambrian dolomite, limestone, shale, and sandstone, Silurian-Ordovician limestone, dolomite, shale, and sandstone, Mississippian-Devonian sandstone, shale, limestone, gypsum, and coal.High1593.9%
Appalachian PlateauPennsylvanian sandstone, shale, and coal.Moderate105.9%

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

Scott County beside the ground around it

Scott County has more high-potential ground than Virginia as a whole: 94.1% of its land against 47.9%. Of the 7 counties that border it, 4 have more high-potential ground, Hancock County, TN the most at 100%.

Share of land by USGS radon potential: Scott County, the 7 counties bordering it and Virginia
AreaEPA zoneLow potentialModerate potentialHigh potential
Scott CountyZone 1None5.9%94.1%
Wise CountyZone 2None89.4%10.6%
Lee CountyZone 1None8.8%91.2%
Sullivan County, TNZone 1NoneNone100%
Hawkins County, TNZone 1NoneNone100%
Russell CountyZone 1None15.6%84.4%
Washington CountyZone 1None1.4%98.6%
Hancock County, TNZone 1NoneNone100%
Virginia133 counties, pooled by land areaVaries20.6%30.0%47.9%

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

Local help

Scott County, Local resources

Radon testing and mitigation in Scott 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

Scott County, Questions

Questions about radon in Scott County

Are radon levels high in Scott County?

Over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals, 50.7% of the radon tests reported to CDC for Scott County, Virginia were at or above 4 pCi/L, and the median reported pre-mitigation result was 4.0 pCi/L. Of 84 Virginia counties with 30 or more tests for the same period, 10 reported a higher share; pooled, the state comes to 30.4%.

Which counties border Scott County?

Scott County borders 7 counties: Wise County, VA, Lee County, VA, Sullivan County, TN, Hawkins County, TN, Russell County, VA, Washington County, VA and Hancock County, TN.

Products

Scott County, Products

Testing a home in Scott County

In Scott County, 50.7% of 75 tests reported to CDC over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals reached 4 pCi/L, against 30.4% pooled across Virginia. In Zone 1 the year-round level in Scott 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

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

Explore

Scott County, Bordering counties

Counties bordering Scott County

Calculated by Radon411

Scott County, Cities and towns

Cities and towns in Scott County

About 21,200 people live in Scott County by the Census Bureau's estimate for July 1, 2025, 395 fewer than in 2020 (−1.8%). That works out to 40 people per square mile of land. No town dominates: Gate City, the largest, has 2,000 residents, 9.4% of the total. Together its 6 incorporated places hold 18.7% of those residents; the other 81.3% live outside any of them. Reported testing is thin here: 75 tests over 2008 to 2017, or 3.5 for every 1,000 residents (2025 estimate), where Virginia as a whole comes to 6.0.

From Gate City to Clinchport, CDC publishes no figure by town: each reads Scott County's.

The cities and towns in Scott County by residents, July 1, 2025
PlaceResidentsSince 2020Share of residents
Gate City2,000−2.2%9.4%
Weber City1,221−2.2%5.8%
Nickelsville369−1.6%1.7%
Dungannon254−1.2%1.2%
Duffield68−2.9%0.3%
Clinchport62−1.6%0.3%

6 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).

Scott County, Homes

Homes in Scott County

Scott County is a place of houses on their own lots: 76% of its 11,776 homes are detached single-family houses, against 61% across Virginia. The homes are older than Virginia's as a whole: half were built before 1974 (1984 for Virginia), and 33% date from before 1960. Owners live in 78% of the occupied homes (Virginia: 67%), so for most households a test and a fix are their own to order.

Homes in Scott County, Virginia, 2019 to 2023
HomesScott CountyVirginia
Housing units11,7763,654,784
Detached houses76%61%
In buildings of 5 or more2%19%
Mobile homes20%4%
Built before 196033%19%
Built since 200016%25%
Middle year built19741984
Owner-occupied78%67%

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