Radon levels in Durham County, North Carolina
LowEPA Zone 3Predicted long-term basement average of 1.3 pCi/L (model estimate) across 9 ZIP codes - about 30% below the US average of 1.8, about 23% below the North Carolina average of 1.7. Ranked #97 of 100 North Carolina counties.
Test Durham County, NC once anyway - radon varies house to house
The predicted basement average here is 1.3 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.
1.3 ± 0.06
pCi/L predicted basement mean (model SD)
0.6 ± 0.10
pCi/L predicted upstairs (above-ground) mean
1.2-1.4
range of ZIP-level basement predictions in the county
What this means for Durham
The typical Durham 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 1.2 to 1.4 pCi/L.
The 1993 EPA zone (3) and the 2001-2021 model agree for Durham. County figures weight each ZIP by its 2010 Census population, so they describe where people live rather than empty land.
Comparable North Carolina counties: Washington County (1.3), Dare County (1.3), Tyrrell County (1.3), Hyde County (1.3). The state's highest is Transylvania County at 3.6 pCi/L.
ZIP codes in Durham County
Predicted basement and upstairs means by ZIP (model estimate). ZIPs whose land is mostly in this county.
| ZIP | Basement | Upstairs | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27713 | 1.2 ± 0.07 | 0.4 | Low |
| 27705 | 1.2 ± 0.06 | 0.5 | Low |
| 27707 | 1.3 ± 0.05 | 0.6 | Low |
| 27703 | 1.4 ± 0.06 | 0.9 | Low |
| 27704 | 1.2 ± 0.06 | 0.6 | Low |
| 27701 | 1.2 ± 0.07 | 0.7 | Low |
| 27712 | 1.4 ± 0.06 | 1.0 | Low |
| 27503 | 1.4 ± 0.06 | 0.8 | Low |
| 27709 | 1.2 ± 0.05 | 0.6 | Low |
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.
Durham County radon questions
- Is radon high in Durham County, North Carolina?
- Low. The model predicts a long-term basement average of 1.3 pCi/L in Durham County (about 30% below the US average of 1.8 and about 23% below the North Carolina average of 1.7). That is below the EPA's 2 pCi/L "consider fixing" threshold, though individual homes still vary. Ranked 97 of 100 North Carolina counties.
- Should I test for radon in Durham County?
- Yes, once. The EPA recommends testing every home regardless of area, and the model's ZIP-level predictions in Durham County already range from 1.2 to 1.4 pCi/L. A short-term kit costs little and settles the question for your house.
- What does EPA Radon Zone 3 mean for Durham County?
- Zone 3 - low potential (< 2 pCi/L). The zone map dates from 1993 and classifies whole counties. The 2001-2021 model agrees with the zone here. Neither replaces a test of your own home.
- How much does radon mitigation cost in Durham County?
- A standard active sub-slab depressurization system typically runs $800-$2,500 installed nationally; North Carolina 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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