Radon levels in King County, Washington

LowEPA Zone 3

Predicted long-term basement average of 1.4 pCi/L (model estimate) across 79 ZIP codes - about 25% below the US average of 1.8, close to the Washington average of 1.6. Ranked #39 of 39 Washington counties.

Test King County, WA 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 ± 0.07

pCi/L predicted basement mean (model SD)

0.6 ± 0.09

pCi/L predicted upstairs (above-ground) mean

1.1-2.0

range of ZIP-level basement predictions in the county

What this means for King

The typical King 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 1.1 to 2.0 pCi/L.

The 1993 EPA zone (3) and the 2001-2021 model agree for King. County figures weight each ZIP by its 2010 Census population, so they describe where people live rather than empty land.

Comparable Washington counties: Snohomish County (1.4), Kitsap County (1.4), Skamania County (1.4), Mason County (1.5). The state's highest is Pend Oreille County at 3.1 pCi/L.

ZIP codes in King County

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

ZIPBasementUpstairsGrade
980521.2 ± 0.070.5Low
980231.4 ± 0.070.6Low
981151.3 ± 0.060.6Low
981031.1 ± 0.120.5Low
981331.3 ± 0.080.6Low
980031.3 ± 0.070.5Low
981051.2 ± 0.070.6Low
980421.5 ± 0.060.7Low
981181.4 ± 0.060.7Low
980581.5 ± 0.060.6Low
980341.3 ± 0.070.6Low
980921.5 ± 0.060.6Low
981251.3 ± 0.060.7Low
980311.5 ± 0.060.6Low
980061.5 ± 0.060.7Low
981981.3 ± 0.070.5Low
980591.4 ± 0.060.6Low
980331.2 ± 0.080.6Low
980321.4 ± 0.070.6Low
980301.4 ± 0.060.5Low
981681.4 ± 0.070.6Low
981551.4 ± 0.070.7Low
980561.3 ± 0.060.6Low
980011.5 ± 0.060.6Low
980021.5 ± 0.060.6Low
981221.1 ± 0.090.5Low
981171.3 ± 0.080.6Low
980381.4 ± 0.050.7Low
980111.4 ± 0.070.6Low
980041.3 ± 0.070.6Low
981441.3 ± 0.060.6Low
980271.4 ± 0.050.7Low
981461.4 ± 0.060.7Low
980741.3 ± 0.070.6Low
980071.2 ± 0.070.5Low
980081.4 ± 0.060.7Low
980291.3 ± 0.070.5Low
981781.5 ± 0.060.6Low
981881.4 ± 0.070.6Low
981061.4 ± 0.060.7Low
980401.4 ± 0.060.7Low
981081.5 ± 0.060.7Low
980721.3 ± 0.060.6Low
981161.3 ± 0.070.6Low
980551.3 ± 0.070.5Low
981071.2 ± 0.090.6Low
981121.2 ± 0.080.6Low
981191.2 ± 0.080.5Low
980221.7 ± 0.060.9Low
981021.1 ± 0.080.5Low
980751.3 ± 0.070.6Low
981091.2 ± 0.070.5Low
981261.4 ± 0.070.6Low
980281.5 ± 0.070.6Low
981661.3 ± 0.060.7Low
981991.4 ± 0.070.6Low
981771.3 ± 0.070.6Low
980531.4 ± 0.070.6Low
980051.5 ± 0.070.6Low
981361.3 ± 0.060.7Low
980451.5 ± 0.050.8Low
980771.4 ± 0.060.7Low
981041.2 ± 0.080.6Low
980651.5 ± 0.070.7Low
981211.2 ± 0.060.6Low
980191.5 ± 0.060.8Low
980701.4 ± 0.070.7Low
980571.3 ± 0.070.6Low
981011.2 ± 0.080.5Low
981481.3 ± 0.070.6Low
980141.6 ± 0.060.7Low
980471.5 ± 0.060.6Low
980241.4 ± 0.060.7Low
980101.6 ± 0.060.9Low
980511.8 ± 0.070.8Low
980391.3 ± 0.060.8Low
981341.3 ± 0.060.7Low
982882.0 ± 0.071.1Low
982241.8 ± 0.061.0Low

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.

King County radon questions

Is radon high in King County, Washington?
Low. The model predicts a long-term basement average of 1.4 pCi/L in King County (about 25% below the US average of 1.8 and close to the Washington average of 1.6). That is below the EPA's 2 pCi/L "consider fixing" threshold, though individual homes still vary. Ranked 39 of 39 Washington counties.
Should I test for radon in King County?
Yes, once. The EPA recommends testing every home regardless of area, and the model's ZIP-level predictions in King County already range from 1.1 to 2.0 pCi/L. A short-term kit costs little and settles the question for your house.
What does EPA Radon Zone 3 mean for King 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 King County?
A standard active sub-slab depressurization system typically runs $800-$2,500 installed nationally; Washington 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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