Radon Levels & Zone Map in Dodge County, WI
Direct Answer for basement and lowest-level tests: Dodge County is a strong county-level radon signal. You still need a home test, but this is not a county where skipping the first test makes sense.
Do not guess in a higher-risk county
Most users should either get a first test or move a 4.0+ result straight into mitigation pricing.
Higher countywide chance of 4.0+ readings.
2.0-3.9 pCi/L usually means retest or track. 4.0+ is where EPA action and quote planning start to matter.
No reading: test now. Reading at 4.0+: move into mitigation planning.
Measured Radon Data
Dodge County evidence before the next step
Dodge County, WI has more than the EPA map: Wisconsin Department of Health Services exposes 1,542 reported tests, 7.3 pCi/L county average, 61.1% of reported tests at or above 4.0 pCi/L, and 82.5 pCi/L high-end signal for 1995-2016.
Source window
1995-2016
Processed verdict
High measured burden
High confidence - 92/100
Primary result
7.3 pCi/L
94th percentile in-state
4.0+ signal
61.1%
96th percentile in-state
High-end signal
82.5 pCi/L
40th percentile in-state
County-specific verdict
Dodge County crosses the action threshold in the official county data.
Dodge County is a test-now case because 7.3 pCi/L average, and 61.1% of reported tests at or above 4.0. In-state rank: 94th percentile for average, and 96th percentile for 4.0+ share. No reading means get the first number; a 4.0+ home result should move straight to mitigation quotes or seller-credit math.
Real-estate use
Buyer or seller use: ask for a fresh lowest-level test before inspection deadlines, tie any 4.0+ result to a contractor quote, and do not negotiate from the county signal alone.
Dodge County should be treated as a county where a first test is urgent and a 4.0+ result should move directly into mitigation pricing or seller-credit math.
Choose Next StepHigh-risk intent answer
Is radon bad in Dodge County?
Dodge County should be treated as a high-priority testing market because 61.1% of reported tests at or above 4.0 pCi/L, 7.3 pCi/L primary measured result, and 82.5 pCi/L high-end signal in Wisconsin Department of Health Services data. A missing home reading means test now; a 4.0+ result means mitigation pricing or seller-credit math should start.
Pick the situation that matches you
You should not need to read the whole guide before clicking one of these. Start with the lane that matches your current stage, then come back for the deeper reference only if you still need it.
Jump into a prefilled Dodge County action plan based on the result you already have, instead of starting from a generic cost page.
I have not tested yet
Do not price mitigation blind. Get the first number, then decide whether you need monitoring, quotes, or nothing at all.
My result is 2.0-3.9
Usually retest or track first. If the reading keeps showing up, use the local action plan to decide whether pricing makes sense.
My result is 4.0+
This is the EPA action line. Use the local cost page before calling contractors so you know the likely scope, timing, and budget.
I am buying or selling
Turn the reading into a credit or repair number before negotiation starts. This is the faster path than arguing from a generic article.
Already tested once and just want to watch the number trend?
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County Evidence Snapshot
Dodge County testing context
Dodge County is a higher-priority testing county because the EPA zone signal is high and the page now ties that signal to local housing context.
EPA map signal
Zone 1
County-level predicted indoor screening range, not a home-level test result.
Housing base
38,150
76th percentile among 72 WI counties with data.
Older housing share
37.5%
25th percentile in-state; older homes often need clearer test placement decisions.
Median home value
$201,000
Used as context for whether mitigation is a small maintenance item or a negotiation issue.
Measured Radon Data
Wisconsin Department of Health Services Indoor Radon Test Results
1995-2016
Average result
7.3 pCi/L
At or above 4.0
61.1%
Maximum reported
82.5 pCi/L
Avg. tests/year
70.1
Wisconsin DHS ZIP-level summaries are based on indoor radon test results from 1995-2016 and are aggregated to county by RadonVerdict using test-count weighting.
RadonVerdict Processed Verdict
High measured burden
Primary result rank
94th percentile
7.3 pCi/L
4.0+ rank
96th percentile
61.1% at or above 4.0
High-end rank
40th percentile
82.5 pCi/L
Test volume rank
72nd percentile
70.1 avg/year
How to use this county data
Data source
Official county measurements
Wisconsin values are long-period ZIP-level test summaries rolled into county context, so they are useful for local burden but not a current-year snapshot.
What the numbers show
Fuller county picture
This is the most useful setup: county average, 4.0+ share, high-end readings, and 1,542 reported tests/properties can be read together instead of relying on one number.
Nearby comparison
Nearby comparison: Closest counties by share of tests at or above 4.0 pCi/L: Portage County (60.4%) is just lower, and Grant County (61.6%) is just higher.
How this helps
Use this to decide how urgently to test, retest, or plan mitigation after a 4.0+ result.
What the data says
Dodge County, WI is measurement-backed for 1995-2016. The measured average is 7.3 pCi/L, and 61.1% of reported results are at or above 4.0 pCi/L. The high-end signal reaches 82.5 pCi/L.
Dodge County, WI sits at the 94th percentile for measured average, 96th percentile for 4.0+ share, 40th percentile for high-end readings, and 72nd percentile for test volume among 72 measured counties in the state. Closest counties by county average: Walworth County (7.2 pCi/L) is just lower, and Waukesha County (7.5 pCi/L) is just higher.
What to do with it
Dodge County should be treated as a county where a first test is urgent and a 4.0+ result should move directly into mitigation pricing or seller-credit math.
Retest trigger: a 2.0-3.9 pCi/L home result should be confirmed here because 7.3 pCi/L average, and 61.1% of reported tests at or above 4.0 keeps the county from being a dismiss-it signal.
High confidence (92/100) from Wisconsin Department of Health Services based on about 1,542 reported tests/properties plus comparable county-level measurement fields.
No reading yet
No reading yet: run a short-term test now, then confirm or price mitigation quickly if the result is elevated.
2.0-3.9 result
2.0-3.9 pCi/L: retest or track longer-term rather than dismissing the result, because the county distribution has meaningful elevated readings.
4.0+ result
4.0+ pCi/L: use the result for mitigation quotes, repair scope, or seller-credit negotiation; the county signal is no longer the deciding input.
Source hierarchy: Wisconsin Department of Health Services is used for this county, with EPA zone and Census housing data kept as supporting context. Wisconsin values are long-period ZIP-level test summaries rolled into county context, so they are useful for local burden but not a current-year snapshot.
Direct Answer
What radon risk level should homeowners assume in Dodge County?
Dodge County is currently categorized as EPA Zone 1 (High Risk). Prioritize testing now and prepare for possible mitigation.
| Evidence | Value |
|---|---|
| Area | Dodge County, WI |
| EPA Zone | Zone 1 |
| Primary Recommendation | Perform direct radon testing in the lowest livable level |
Your Radon Reading
Enter your home's measured level; the starting value is only a planning example until you have your own result.
Warning: Action Required - EPA Threshold Exceeded
At 5.5 pCi/L, this reading is above the EPA action level. Prompt mitigation planning is recommended after confirmatory testing.
Typical mitigation systems reduce radon by 80-99%. See your itemized cost estimate below.
Understanding Radon Levels: Complete Reference
Below 2.0 pCi/L - Lower Concern, Keep Testing
Below both the EPA (4.0) and WHO (2.7) action reference levels. This usually means mitigation is not the next immediate step after a confirmed result. The average outdoor radon level is approximately 0.4 pCi/L, and there is no known risk-free indoor level. Periodic testing is still recommended because levels can change over time due to seasonal variations, changes in home ventilation, or foundation settling.
-4.0
2.0 - 4.0 pCi/L - Elevated, Consider Action
Exceeds the World Health Organization's reference level of 2.7 pCi/L but falls below the US EPA action threshold. The EPA states that homeowners should "consider fixing" homes in this range, especially if the home has a basement used as living space, if children are present, or in connection with a real estate transaction. Practical next step: run a confirmatory long-term test, then compare mitigation quotes if levels remain elevated.
-8.0
4.0 - 8.0 pCi/L - Action Recommended
Exceeds the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L. The EPA and Surgeon General strongly recommend mitigation within a few months. At this level, prioritize confirmatory testing and contractor planning. Standard sub-slab depressurization systems typically reduce indoor levels by 80-99%.
Above 8.0 pCi/L - Urgent Action Required
At these levels, the EPA recommends expedited mitigation - ideally within weeks, not months. Occupants should minimize time in lower-level rooms until the system is installed. Use a certified mitigator and request priority scheduling to shorten high-exposure time. Many mitigators offer priority scheduling for homes above 8.0 pCi/L.
Why Radon is a Serious Concern in Dodge County
Dodge County sits in a geological region with elevated uranium concentrations in the underlying bedrock and soil. As uranium naturally decays, it produces radium, which further decays into radon gas. This gas migrates upward through soil and enters homes through foundation cracks, gaps around pipes, and sump pits.
In Zone 1 counties like Dodge, the EPA predicts indoor screening levels are commonly above 4.0 pCi/L. Individual homes can still vary dramatically - even neighboring houses can differ by a factor of 10 or more. This is why every home needs its own test, regardless of what a neighbor's reading shows.
Factors that amplify radon entry include: basement foundations (more soil contact area), granitic or shale bedrock, tight energy-efficient construction (less natural ventilation), and negative indoor air pressure from HVAC systems, exhaust fans, and dryers.
Radon & Health: What the Science Says
lung cancer
from radon
4.0 pCi/L
Radon is a Class A carcinogen - the same classification as asbestos and tobacco smoke. The National Academy of Sciences estimates that radon causes approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the United States, making it the leading environmental cause of cancer death.
Unlike smoking, radon exposure is involuntary and often invisible. There is no safe level of radon - risk increases linearly with exposure. The good news: radon mitigation systems are highly effective, typically reducing indoor levels by 80-99% within hours of activation.
Source: US Environmental Protection Agency, "A Citizen's Guide to Radon" (EPA 402/K-12/002). National Academy of Sciences, Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR VI) Report, 1999.
Step 1: Test Your Home
Testing is the only way to know your home's radon level. Zone data tells you the regional risk, but your home could be significantly higher or lower than the countywide pattern. For most homeowners, the right first purchase is a low-cost short-term test kit.
A digital monitor is a better fit after your first result, for seasonal re-checks, or to keep tracking levels after mitigation.
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Already Know Your Level?
If your test shows 4.0 pCi/L or higher, get an itemized cost estimate specific to Dodge County - including regional labor rates and permit requirements.
Get Mitigation Cost Estimate ->WI Radon Regulations
Wisconsin requires sellers to complete a Real Estate Condition Report that includes known radon test results and environmental hazards.
Wisconsin does not require specific radon licensing. NRPP or AARST certification is recommended.
How to Test for Radon in Dodge County
Buy a Test Kit
Purchase a short-term charcoal test kit online or from a local hardware store. Cost: $15-$30. Place it in the lowest livable level of your home.
Wait 2-7 Days
Keep doors and windows closed (except normal entry/exit) during the test period. Avoid running whole-house fans. Mail the kit to the lab provided.
Read Your Results
If results are below 4.0 pCi/L, re-test every 2 years or use a monitor for ongoing tracking. If above 4.0, use our cost calculator to see mitigation options.
Related Radon Resources for Dodge County
Explore Other WI Counties
Official State Resource
Wisconsin radon program and rules
Use the state program link to verify local radon guidance, disclosure language, and contractor credential expectations before you act on an estimate.
Disclosure rule tracked
Wisconsin requires sellers to complete a Real Estate Condition Report that includes known radon test results and environmental hazards.
Credential note
Wisconsin does not require specific radon licensing. NRPP or AARST certification is recommended.
Sources & Methodology
Radon zone classifications for Dodge County are sourced from the EPA's Map of Radon Zones, which uses geological surveys, indoor radon measurements, and soil permeability data to assign each county a risk tier.
Disclaimer: Zone data represents county-level screening ranges and cannot predict the radon level in any specific home. Testing is the only reliable method to determine your home's radon concentration. This content is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.
Content review: Source-level retrieval dates
Editorial and Data Transparency
- Author
- RadonVerdict Data Team (Public Data and Cost Modeling)
- Content Review
- Source-level dates shown below
- Data Retrieved At
- 2026-02-24
Primary Sources
- EPA Map of Radon Zones (retrieved 2026-02-21)
- EPA A Citizen's Guide to Radon (retrieved 2026-05-05)
- CDC Environmental Public Health Tracking - Radon Testing (retrieved 2026-05-05)
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services Indoor Radon Test Results (retrieved 2026-05-05)
- US Census Bureau, 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (retrieved 2026-02-24)