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Radon Levels in Washington County, Virginia

EPA puts Washington County in Zone 1, its highest radon zone, and high results are common there: 58.1% of the 384 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

How to test this homeFind a certified tester

  • Share at 4+ pCi/L

    58.1%

    27.7 pts above VA

    Washington
    58.1%
    Virginia
    30.4%

    384 tests, 2008 to 2017

  • Median result

    4.8pCi/L

    Action level reached

    Washington
    4.8 pCi/L
    EPA
    4.0 pCi/L

    Midpoint of the tests, 2008 to 2017

  • Tests reported

    384

    32nd of 84 by tests

    Washington
    384
    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

    5 of 84

    Top quarter

    Washington
    58.1%
    Russell
    67.3%

    By share, of 84 with 30+ tests

Read a result for Washington County

Starts at Washington County's median, 4.8 pCi/L

4.8pCi/L

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

EPA’s reading of 4.8 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. Washington County's median reported result, 2008 to 2017.

Interpret this readingWhat a fix costs

The data

Washington County, At a glance

Washington County at a glance

Predicted: EPA radon zone

EPA Zone 1: highest predicted potential

EPA puts all of Washington 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 99% of the county's area

Predicted: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Measured: tests reported to CDC

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

Reported results by concentration band, Washington County, 2008 to 2017, laboratory
Under 2 pCi/L: 21%2 to 4 pCi/L: 21%4 pCi/L and above: 58%

Of 384 pre-mitigation tests reported to CDC, not homes in this area.

Reported results by concentration band, Washington County, 2008 to 2017, laboratory: data table
Result bandTests MeasuredShare Measured
Under 2 pCi/L7920.6%
2 to 4 pCi/L8221.4%
4 pCi/L and above22358.1%
What these figures count

These are the 384 tests reported to CDC for Washington 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

Washington County, Compared

Washington County radon figures, compared

Calculated by Radon411

More than half: 58.1% of the 384 radon tests reported to CDC for Washington County over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals read at least 4 pCi/L. That places it 5th of 84 Virginia counties with 30 or more tests for the same period. That is 27.7 points above the 30.4% pooled from 131 Virginia counties.

The median result, 4.8 pCi/L, sits above EPA's 4 pCi/L action level, and the top reported result was 70.2 pCi/L. The rest split 20.6% under 2 pCi/L and 21.4% from 2 to 4 (Virginia: 44.7% and 24.9%). Zone 1 on EPA's map (predicted average above 4 pCi/L) and a 58.1% share point the same way here.

2 of its 7 bordering counties with figures ran higher, led by Russell County at 67.3%; Johnson County, TN reported 34.4%. 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 Washington County went from 334 tests (2005 to 2014) to 384 (2008 to 2017), the share going from 54.8% to 58.1%.

Nationally, every county with a figure for the same period pools to 35.7%; Washington County sits 22.4 points above it. CDC also counts 26 tests taken after mitigation in Washington County for the same period: tests in homes where a fix was already in.

Washington County against Virginia, the United States and nearby counties, 2008 to 2017, laboratory
AreaTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedianDifference from Washington County
Washington County38458.1%4.8 pCi/LThis county
Virginia, pooled131 counties, pooled53,19930.4%Not pooled−27.7 points
United States, pooled2,661 counties, pooled2,013,54435.7%Not pooled−22.4 points
Wythe Countyhighest in the state11965.5%6.0 pCi/L+7.4 points
Norfolk citylowest in the state732.7%0.5 pCi/L−55.4 points
Russell County, VAborders it4967.3%6.7 pCi/L+9.2 points
Smyth County, VAborders it12361.0%5.5 pCi/L+2.9 points
Sullivan County, TNborders it1,79951.5%4.2 pCi/L−6.6 points
Bristol city, VAborders it11050.9%4.2 pCi/L−7.2 points
Scott County, VAborders it7550.7%4.0 pCi/L−7.4 points
Grayson County, VAborders it4744.7%3.8 pCi/L−13.4 points
Johnson County, TNborders it15734.4%2.3 pCi/L−23.7 points
Where Washington County's reported results fell, 2008 to 2017, laboratory, beside Virginia and the United States
ResultWashington County testsWashington County shareVirginia shareU.S. shareAgainst Virginia
Under 2 pCi/L7920.6%44.7%39.6%−24.1 points
2 to 4 pCi/L8221.4%24.9%24.7%−3.5 points
4 pCi/L and above22358.1%30.4%35.7%+27.7 points
Washington 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
Russell County1 of 844967.3%6.7 pCi/L
Wythe County2 of 8411965.5%6.0 pCi/L
Carroll County3 of 848961.8%5.0 pCi/L
Smyth County4 of 8412361.0%5.5 pCi/L
Washington County5 of 8438458.1%4.8 pCi/L
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
Washington County ten-year laboratory totals, against Virginia's pooled share
PeriodTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedianHighestVirginia, pooledChange from the row before
2008 to 201738458.1%4.8 pCi/L70.2 pCi/L30.4%−0.1 points
2007 to 201638558.2%4.8 pCi/L54.1 pCi/L30.6%+2.6 points
2006 to 201535655.6%4.5 pCi/L50.0 pCi/L30.7%+0.8 points
2005 to 201433454.8%4.4 pCi/L50.0 pCi/L30.3%First on file

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

Washington County, Geology

The ground under Washington County

Predicted

Most of the ground under Washington County is one class on USGS's geologic map: 98.6% of its land is high radon potential, with 1.4% moderate. 98.3% of it lies in the area the map calls Valley and Ridge, to which USGS gives a radon index of 15, in the high band (12 to 17).

USGS's geologic areas under Washington 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.High1598.3%
Blue RidgeGranite, pegmatite, monazite, schist, and gneiss.Moderate101.4%

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

Washington County beside the ground around it

Washington County has more high-potential ground than Virginia as a whole: 98.6% of its land against 47.9%. Of the 7 counties that border it, 2 have more high-potential ground, Bristol city the most at 100%.

Share of land by USGS radon potential: Washington County, the 7 counties bordering it and Virginia
AreaEPA zoneLow potentialModerate potentialHigh potential
Washington CountyZone 1None1.4%98.6%
Russell CountyZone 1None15.6%84.4%
Bristol cityZone 1NoneNone100%
Johnson County, TNZone 2None14.9%85.1%
Sullivan County, TNZone 1NoneNone100%
Smyth CountyZone 1None5.3%94.7%
Scott CountyZone 1None5.9%94.1%
Grayson CountyZone 2None97.5%2.5%
Virginia133 counties, pooled by land areaVaries20.6%30.0%47.9%

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

Local help

Washington County, Local resources

Radon testing and mitigation in Washington 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

Washington County, Questions

Questions about radon in Washington County

Are radon levels high in Washington County?

Over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals, 58.1% of the radon tests reported to CDC for Washington County, Virginia were at or above 4 pCi/L, and the median reported pre-mitigation result was 4.8 pCi/L. Of 84 Virginia counties with 30 or more tests for the same period, 4 reported a higher share; pooled, the state comes to 30.4%.

Which counties border Washington County?

Washington County borders 7 counties: Russell County, VA, Bristol city, VA, Johnson County, TN, Sullivan County, TN, Smyth County, VA, Scott County, VA and Grayson County, VA.

Products

Washington County, Products

Testing a home in Washington County

In Washington County, 58.1% of 384 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 Washington 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

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

Explore

Washington County, Bordering counties

Counties bordering Washington County

Calculated by Radon411

Washington County, Cities and towns

Cities and towns in Washington County

Washington County's population has barely moved since 2020: 53,898 residents on July 1, 2025 against 53,910 then, by the Census Bureau's estimates. That works out to 96 people per square mile of land. No town dominates: Abingdon, the largest, has 8,284 residents, 15.4% of the total. CDC's 384 reported tests for 2008 to 2017 work out to 7.1 per 1,000 residents (2025 estimate), close to Virginia's 6.0.

From Abingdon to Damascus, CDC publishes no figure by town: each reads Washington County's.

The cities and towns in Washington County by residents, July 1, 2025
PlaceResidentsSince 2020Share of residents
Abingdon8,284−1.1%15.4%
Saltvilleextends beyond Washington County1,760−3.2%Counted whole
Glade Spring1,366−0.2%2.5%
Damascus780−1.1%1.4%

4 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). A place that extends beyond Washington County is counted whole, so it has no share.

Washington County, Homes

Homes in Washington County

Of Washington County's 25,505 homes, 73% are detached houses, against 61% across Virginia; 13% are mobile homes. Half of its homes were built before 1981, close to Virginia's 1984: 19% date from before 1960 and 20% from 2000 or later. Owners live in 76% of the occupied homes (Virginia: 67%), so for most households a test and a fix are their own to order.

Homes in Washington County, Virginia, 2019 to 2023
HomesWashington CountyVirginia
Housing units25,5053,654,784
Detached houses73%61%
In buildings of 5 or more6%19%
Mobile homes13%4%
Built before 196019%19%
Built since 200020%25%
Middle year built19811984
Owner-occupied76%67%

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