Radon levels in Des Moines, Iowa
ModerateEPA Zone 1Predicted long-term basement average of 3.7 pCi/L (model estimate) across the 13 modeled ZIP codes in Des Moines - about 2.1× the US average of 1.8, close to the Iowa average of 3.5. Ranked #2 of 12 Iowa cities on this site. Most of the city lies in Polk County (its ZIPs also reach into 1 other county).
Test Des Moines, IA - the EPA says "consider fixing" in this range
The predicted basement average here is 3.7 pCi/L, in the 2-4 pCi/L band where the EPA recommends considering mitigation. Plenty of individual homes in a moderate area test above 4. Start with a short-term test; if it comes back at 2 or higher, follow up with a long-term test or a continuous monitor.
Already tested at 4 pCi/L or higher? Find a certified mitigation professional (EPA). A mitigation system typically runs $800-$2,500 installed.
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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.
3.7 ± 0.08
pCi/L predicted basement mean (model SD)
2.4 ± 0.08
pCi/L predicted upstairs (above-ground) mean
2.8-4.8
range of ZIP-level basement predictions in the city
23%
of Des Moines ZIPs predicted ≥ 4 pCi/L (100% ≥ 2)
What this means for Des Moines
The typical Des Moines home is predicted in the 2-4 pCi/L band. The EPA's guidance for this range is to consider fixing, because there is no known safe level and a meaningful minority of homes in a moderate area will test above 4.
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 Polk County as Zone 1 while the newer model predicts 3.7 pCi/L for Des Moines; where they disagree, we grade on the model but show both.
Comparable Iowa cities: Sioux City (4.4), Council Bluffs (3.0), West Des Moines (3.0), Urbandale (2.9).
ZIP codes in Des Moines
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.
| ZIP | Share of city | Basement | Upstairs | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50317 | 19% | 3.6 ± 0.08 | 2.5 | Moderate |
| 50320 | 18% | 3.7 ± 0.09 | 2.3 | Moderate |
| 50321 | 13% | 3.5 ± 0.09 | 2.3 | Moderate |
| 50315 | 12% | 4.3 ± 0.07 | 2.5 | High |
| 50310 | 8% | 4.4 ± 0.07 | 2.9 | High |
| 50312 | 6% | 3.7 ± 0.07 | 2.4 | Moderate |
| 50313 | 5% | 3.5 ± 0.07 | 2.2 | Moderate |
| 50316 | 4% | 2.7 ± 0.12 | 1.5 | Moderate |
| 50211 | 3% | 3.9 ± 0.09 | 2.4 | Moderate |
| 50309 | 3% | 3.0 ± 0.06 | 2.0 | Moderate |
| 50311 | 3% | 3.2 ± 0.07 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 50314 | 3% | 3.1 ± 0.06 | 1.9 | Moderate |
| 50047 | 2% | 4.8 ± 0.06 | 2.8 | High |
| 50319 | <1% | — | — | no model |
Testing help in Iowa
We link only state program pages we could verify, and Iowa'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.
Des Moines radon questions
- Is radon high in Des Moines, Iowa?
- Moderate. Averaging the model's ZIP-code predictions across Des Moines (weighted by how much of the city each ZIP covers) gives a long-term basement mean of 3.7 pCi/L - about 2.1× the US average of 1.8 and close to the Iowa average of 3.5. That is in the 2-4 pCi/L range where the EPA says to consider fixing. Des Moines ranks 2 of 12 Iowa cities on this site.
- Which Des Moines ZIP codes have the highest radon?
- Predictions for the 13 modeled ZIP codes in Des Moines range from 2.8 to 4.8 pCi/L in the basement. 23% of them are predicted at or above 4 pCi/L and 100% at or above 2. That spread is why the ZIP table below matters more than the city-wide number.
- Should I test for radon in Des Moines?
- Yes, soon. With a predicted basement average of 3.7 pCi/L and ZIPs predicted as high as 4.8, a meaningful share of Des Moines homes will test above the 4 pCi/L action level. Start with a short-term kit; if it reads 2 or higher, confirm with a long-term test or a continuous monitor before paying for mitigation.
- What does EPA Radon Zone 1 mean for Des Moines?
- Des Moines sits mainly in Polk County, which the EPA classifies as Zone 1 - highest potential (predicted average > 4 pCi/L). The zone map dates from 1993 and covers whole counties. The newer model's city average of 3.7 pCi/L does not line up with Zone 1, 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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