Radon levels in Jefferson County, New York

LowEPA Zone 2

Predicted long-term basement average of 1.5 pCi/L (model estimate) across 29 ZIP codes - about 16% below the US average of 1.8, close to the New York average of 1.4. Ranked #44 of 62 New York counties.

Test Jefferson County, NY once anyway - radon varies house to house

The predicted basement average here is 1.5 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.

1.5 ± 0.06

pCi/L predicted basement mean (model SD)

0.8 ± 0.07

pCi/L predicted upstairs (above-ground) mean

1.3-2.0

range of ZIP-level basement predictions in the county

What this means for Jefferson

The typical Jefferson County home is predicted below 2 pCi/L, the lowest band. That is the best case an area can show - but it describes the average house, and the ZIP-level predictions within the county still span 1.3 to 2.0 pCi/L.

Note that the EPA classifies Jefferson County as Zone 2 while the newer model predicts 1.5 pCi/L. The zone map predates two decades of test data; where they disagree, we grade on the model but show both. County figures weight each ZIP by its 2010 Census population, so they describe where people live rather than empty land.

Comparable New York counties: Schenectady County (1.5), Clinton County (1.5), St. Lawrence County (1.5), Onondaga County (1.6). The state's highest is Schuyler County at 2.8 pCi/L.

ZIP codes in Jefferson County

Predicted basement and upstairs means by ZIP (model estimate). ZIPs whose land is mostly in this county.

ZIPBasementUpstairsGrade
136011.3 ± 0.060.7Low
136191.7 ± 0.091.0Low
136031.5 ± 0.060.8Low
136241.6 ± 0.060.9Low
136051.9 ± 0.070.9Low
136371.5 ± 0.060.8Low
136341.7 ± 0.061.0Low
136911.6 ± 0.060.9Low
136561.7 ± 0.060.9Low
136121.7 ± 0.061.0Low
136061.8 ± 0.060.9Low
136221.7 ± 0.061.1Low
136851.5 ± 0.050.9Low
136731.7 ± 0.060.9Low
136161.5 ± 0.060.9Low
136791.7 ± 0.061.0Low
136071.7 ± 0.061.0Low
136081.6 ± 0.061.0Low
136181.7 ± 0.061.0Low
136611.8 ± 0.060.9Low
136501.7 ± 0.051.0Low
136821.9 ± 0.061.3Low
136591.8 ± 0.061.1Low
136931.5 ± 0.060.8Low
136381.6 ± 0.070.9Low
136361.6 ± 0.061.0Low
136402.0 ± 0.201.1Low
136751.4 ± 0.070.7Low
136921.3 ± 0.070.8Low

If your test comes back at 4 pCi/L or higher

Mitigation is a routine job: a fan-driven pipe that vents soil gas from under the slab to above the roofline, typically $800-$2,500 installed (typical range; local quotes vary). Use certified professionals: EPA find-a-professional. Read the full mitigation guide.

Jefferson County radon questions

Is radon high in Jefferson County, New York?
Low. The model predicts a long-term basement average of 1.5 pCi/L in Jefferson County (about 16% below the US average of 1.8 and close to the New York average of 1.4). That is below the EPA's 2 pCi/L "consider fixing" threshold, though individual homes still vary. Ranked 44 of 62 New York counties.
Should I test for radon in Jefferson County?
Yes, once. The EPA recommends testing every home regardless of area, and the model's ZIP-level predictions in Jefferson County already range from 1.3 to 2.0 pCi/L. A short-term kit costs little and settles the question for your house.
What does EPA Radon Zone 2 mean for Jefferson County?
Zone 2 - moderate potential (2-4 pCi/L). The zone map dates from 1993 and classifies whole counties. The newer model's predicted average of 1.5 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.
How much does radon mitigation cost in Jefferson County?
A standard active sub-slab depressurization system typically runs $800-$2,500 installed nationally; New York quotes vary with foundation type (slab, crawlspace, basement), home size and local labor. Get two or three bids from certified mitigators listed by your state radon program or the EPA's find-a-professional page.

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