Radon levels in Washington County, Oregon

LowEPA Zone 2

Predicted long-term basement average of 1.4 pCi/L (model estimate) across 21 ZIP codes - about 23% below the US average of 1.8, about 18% below the Oregon average of 1.7. Ranked #35 of 36 Oregon counties.

Test Washington County, OR once anyway - radon varies house to house

The predicted basement average here is 1.4 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.

1.4 ± 0.08

pCi/L predicted basement mean (model SD)

0.8 ± 0.10

pCi/L predicted upstairs (above-ground) mean

1.0-1.7

range of ZIP-level basement predictions in the county

What this means for Washington

The typical Washington 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 1.0 to 1.7 pCi/L.

Note that the EPA classifies Washington County as Zone 2 while the newer model predicts 1.4 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 Oregon counties: Douglas County (1.4), Lincoln County (1.5), Tillamook County (1.5), Coos County (1.5). The state's highest is Union County at 2.5 pCi/L.

ZIP codes in Washington County

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

ZIPBasementUpstairsGrade
970071.6 ± 0.070.8Low
970061.3 ± 0.080.5Low
972291.0 ± 0.080.5Low
971241.3 ± 0.070.7Low
972231.2 ± 0.110.7Low
971231.7 ± 0.071.0Low
972241.3 ± 0.070.6Low
970081.5 ± 0.070.7Low
970621.4 ± 0.070.7Low
970051.6 ± 0.060.8Low
972251.5 ± 0.090.9Low
971161.5 ± 0.061.0Low
971401.4 ± 0.100.9Low
971131.7 ± 0.061.1Low
971061.4 ± 0.060.9Low
971191.5 ± 0.060.8Low
971331.6 ± 0.060.9Low
971171.6 ± 0.070.9Low
971091.3 ± 0.070.9Low
971441.6 ± 0.080.8Low
971251.4 ± 0.070.9Low

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.

Washington County radon questions

Is radon high in Washington County, Oregon?
Low. The model predicts a long-term basement average of 1.4 pCi/L in Washington County (about 23% below the US average of 1.8 and about 18% below the Oregon average of 1.7). That is below the EPA's 2 pCi/L "consider fixing" threshold, though individual homes still vary. Ranked 35 of 36 Oregon counties.
Should I test for radon in Washington County?
Yes, once. The EPA recommends testing every home regardless of area, and the model's ZIP-level predictions in Washington County already range from 1.0 to 1.7 pCi/L. A short-term kit costs little and settles the question for your house.
What does EPA Radon Zone 2 mean for Washington 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 1.4 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 Washington County?
A standard active sub-slab depressurization system typically runs $800-$2,500 installed nationally; Oregon 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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