Is radon high in Norfolk, Virginia?

Low. Averaging the model's ZIP-code predictions across Norfolk (weighted by how much of the city each ZIP covers) gives a long-term basement mean of 1.2 pCi/L - about 36% below the US average of 1.8 and about 29% below the Virginia average of 1.6. That is below the EPA's 2 pCi/L "consider fixing" threshold, though individual homes still vary. Norfolk ranks 19 of 21 Virginia cities on this site.

Which Norfolk ZIP codes have the highest radon?

Predictions for the 13 modeled ZIP codes in Norfolk range from 1.0 to 1.2 pCi/L in the basement. 0% of them are predicted at or above 4 pCi/L and 0% 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 Norfolk?

Yes, once. The EPA recommends testing every home regardless of area. A short-term kit costs little and settles the question for your house; Norfolk's low predicted average describes the typical home, not yours.

What does EPA Radon Zone 3 mean for Norfolk?

Norfolk sits mainly in Norfolk city, which the EPA classifies as Zone 3 - low potential (< 2 pCi/L). The zone map dates from 1993 and covers whole counties. The 2001-2021 model agrees with the zone for the city. Neither replaces a test of your own home.

Radon levels in Norfolk, Virginia

LowEPA Zone 3

Predicted long-term basement average of 1.2 pCi/L (model estimate) across the 13 modeled ZIP codes in Norfolk - about 36% below the US average of 1.8, about 29% below the Virginia average of 1.6. Ranked #19 of 21 Virginia cities on this site. Most of the city lies in Norfolk city.

Test Norfolk, VA once anyway - radon varies house to house

The predicted basement average here is 1.2 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.

Get a short-term test kit →Or track it with a continuous monitor

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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.

1.2 ± 0.07

pCi/L predicted basement mean (model SD)

0.6 ± 0.08

pCi/L predicted upstairs (above-ground) mean

1.0-1.2

range of ZIP-level basement predictions in the city

of Norfolk ZIPs predicted ≥ 4 pCi/L (0% ≥ 2)

What this means for Norfolk

The typical Norfolk home is predicted below 2 pCi/L, the lowest band. That describes the average house; the ZIP-level predictions inside the city still span 1.0 to 1.2 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). The 1993 EPA zone (3) for Norfolk city and the 2001-2021 model agree here.

Comparable Virginia cities: Reston (1.2), Centreville (1.2), Arlington (1.1), Portsmouth (1.2).

ZIP codes in Norfolk

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
23502	19%	1.2 ± 0.07	0.7	Low
23505	12%	1.2 ± 0.07	0.6	Low
23518	12%	1.2 ± 0.06	0.6	Low
23511	10%	1.1 ± 0.07	0.6	Low
23503	10%	1.1 ± 0.07	0.6	Low
23513	10%	1.1 ± 0.06	0.6	Low
23504	8%	1.1 ± 0.06	0.6	Low
23508	6%	1.2 ± 0.07	0.7	Low
23509	5%	1.1 ± 0.06	0.6	Low
23523	4%	1.1 ± 0.07	0.6	Low
23510	2%	1.0 ± 0.08	0.6	Low
23507	2%	1.1 ± 0.07	0.6	Low
23517	2%	1.0 ± 0.08	0.5	Low
23551	1%	—	—	no model

Testing help in Virginia

Virginia's radon program page is at www.vdh.virginia.gov and, when we checked it, offered discounted radon test kits. 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.

Norfolk radon questions

Is radon high in Norfolk, Virginia?: Low. Averaging the model's ZIP-code predictions across Norfolk (weighted by how much of the city each ZIP covers) gives a long-term basement mean of 1.2 pCi/L - about 36% below the US average of 1.8 and about 29% below the Virginia average of 1.6. That is below the EPA's 2 pCi/L "consider fixing" threshold, though individual homes still vary. Norfolk ranks 19 of 21 Virginia cities on this site.
Which Norfolk ZIP codes have the highest radon?: Predictions for the 13 modeled ZIP codes in Norfolk range from 1.0 to 1.2 pCi/L in the basement. 0% of them are predicted at or above 4 pCi/L and 0% 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 Norfolk?: Yes, once. The EPA recommends testing every home regardless of area. A short-term kit costs little and settles the question for your house; Norfolk's low predicted average describes the typical home, not yours.
What does EPA Radon Zone 3 mean for Norfolk?: Norfolk sits mainly in Norfolk city, which the EPA classifies as Zone 3 - low potential (< 2 pCi/L). The zone map dates from 1993 and covers whole counties. The 2001-2021 model agrees with the zone for the city. Neither replaces a test of your own home.

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