Radon levels in Athens, Georgia

LowEPA Zone 2

Predicted long-term basement average of 1.8 pCi/L (model estimate) across the 6 modeled ZIP codes in Athens - close to the US average of 1.8, close to the Georgia average of 1.9. Ranked #13 of 21 Georgia cities on this site. Most of the city lies in Clarke County (its ZIPs also reach into 3 other counties).

Test Athens, GA once anyway - radon varies house to house

The predicted basement average here is 1.8 pCi/L, below the EPA's 2 pCi/L "consider fixing" threshold. That's good news for the area - but the EPA still recommends every home be tested, because foundation cracks, soil pockets and ventilation make one house very different from its neighbor. One inexpensive kit settles it.

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Predicted (model estimate). The pCi/L figures on this page are long-term area averages from a peer-reviewed national model built on millions of real radon tests (2001-2021). They describe the typical home in this area - not your home, which can be several times higher or lower. The EPA radon zone is a separate, 1993 county-level classification. How the numbers work.

1.8 ± 0.06

pCi/L predicted basement mean (model SD)

0.9 ± 0.09

pCi/L predicted upstairs (above-ground) mean

1.6-2.3

range of ZIP-level basement predictions in the city

0%

of Athens ZIPs predicted ≥ 4 pCi/L (33% ≥ 2)

What this means for Athens

The typical Athens home is predicted below 2 pCi/L, the lowest band. That describes the average house; the ZIP-level predictions inside the city still span 1.6 to 2.3 pCi/L.

The city figure is not a separate estimate: it is the mean of the model's ZIP-code predictions, weighted by the share of the city's land in each ZIP (Census 2020 ZCTA-to-place relationship file). Note that the EPA classifies Clarke County as Zone 2 while the newer model predicts 1.8 pCi/L for Athens; where they disagree, we grade on the model but show both.

Comparable Georgia cities: Atlanta (1.9), Alpharetta (1.9), Roswell (1.9), Johns Creek (1.9).

ZIP codes in Athens

ZIPs that overlap the city, largest share of its land first. Predicted basement and upstairs means are model estimates; ZIPs the model does not cover show a dash.

ZIPShare of cityBasementUpstairsGrade
3060531%1.7 ± 0.061.0Low
3060620%1.8 ± 0.060.9Low
3060118%1.6 ± 0.060.6Low
3060712%2.0 ± 0.051.1Moderate
3068312%2.3 ± 0.051.1Moderate
306227%1.7 ± 0.071.1Low
306021%no model
30609<1%no model

Testing help in Georgia

We link only state program pages we could verify, and Georgia's did not respond when we checked, so start from the EPA state radon contacts page. If a test comes back at 4 pCi/L or higher, mitigation typically costs $800-$2,500 installed; use EPA find-a-professional and read the mitigation guide.

Athens radon questions

Is radon high in Athens, Georgia?
Low. Averaging the model's ZIP-code predictions across Athens (weighted by how much of the city each ZIP covers) gives a long-term basement mean of 1.8 pCi/L - close to the US average of 1.8 and close to the Georgia average of 1.9. That is below the EPA's 2 pCi/L "consider fixing" threshold, though individual homes still vary. Athens ranks 13 of 21 Georgia cities on this site.
Which Athens ZIP codes have the highest radon?
Predictions for the 6 modeled ZIP codes in Athens range from 1.6 to 2.3 pCi/L in the basement. 0% of them are predicted at or above 4 pCi/L and 33% at or above 2. The city is fairly uniform, so the city-wide number is a reasonable guide for any neighborhood.
Should I test for radon in Athens?
Yes, once. The EPA recommends testing every home regardless of area. A short-term kit costs little and settles the question for your house; Athens's low predicted average describes the typical home, not yours.
What does EPA Radon Zone 2 mean for Athens?
Athens sits mainly in Clarke County, which the EPA classifies as Zone 2 - moderate potential (2-4 pCi/L). The zone map dates from 1993 and covers whole counties. The newer model's city average of 1.8 pCi/L does not line up with Zone 2, which is common - the EPA itself says high-radon homes exist in every zone. Neither replaces a test of your own home.

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