Updated November 2026 · Data: CDC National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network (radon test results from laboratories, 2008–2017), state-reported results 2019–2023, EPA Map of Radon Zones · Sources and method
Radon testing laboratories reported 319 pre-mitigation radon tests from buildings in Shelby County, Tennessee between 2008 and 2017, according to the CDC Tracking Network. 6.3% of those tests were at or above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L, and the median result was 1.0 pCi/L. The county’s share of high results is lower than the Tennessee figure of 32.8% and below the U.S. figure of 36.4%. Shelby County is in EPA radon Zone 3 (low potential, below 2 pCi/L).
These are area results, not your home’s level. Homes next to each other can have very different radon levels. The only way to know yours is to test.
Radon test results in Shelby County
| Test result | Shelby County | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 2 pCi/L | 79.7% | 42.9% | 38.8% |
| 2 to 4 pCi/L | 14.1% | 24.3% | 24.8% |
| 4 pCi/L or higher | 6.3% | 32.8% | 36.4% |
About 80% of tests in Shelby County came back below 2 pCi/L, and 14.1% fell between 2 and 4 pCi/L, where the EPA suggests considering a fix. The average result (1.7 pCi/L) is well above the median (1.0 pCi/L) because a smaller number of very high readings pull the average up; the highest test reported was 35.2 pCi/L.
Recent results reported by Tennessee
| Year | Buildings tested | Median (pCi/L) | 4 pCi/L or higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 17 | 1.0 | 0.0% |
| 2023 | 10 | 0.9 | — |
Tennessee also sends yearly radon test data to the CDC. These newer numbers come from a different collection than the 2008–2017 laboratory figures, so small differences between them are normal.
How Shelby County compares with other Tennessee counties
| County | Tests | 4 pCi/L or higher | Median (pCi/L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby County (this page) | 319 | 6.3% | 1.0 |
| Jefferson County | 110 | 56.8% | 4.7 |
| Loudon County | 497 | 54.5% | 4.4 |
| Sevier County | 244 | 53.0% | 4.4 |
| Sullivan County | 1,312 | 51.5% | 4.2 |
| Washington County | 1,196 | 49.6% | 3.9 |
| White County | 116 | 49.0% | 3.9 |
| Anderson County | 195 | 48.3% | 3.8 |
| Carter County | 284 | 47.2% | 3.7 |
All Tennessee counties, the radon zone map and state contacts: Radon in Tennessee.
How to test your home in Shelby County
- The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Radon Program can tell you about free or discounted test kits and certified professionals (phone: 615-532-0738; 1-800-232-1139).
- Short-term test kits take 2 to 4 days. Put the kit in the lowest lived-in level of the home, with windows and doors closed. See how to test for radon.
- If the result is 4 pCi/L or higher, the EPA recommends fixing the home; between 2 and 4 pCi/L, consider a fix. Read what radon level is safe.
- A radon mitigation system usually lowers levels by 80% to 99%. Typical prices are in our radon mitigation cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is radon a problem in Shelby County?
6.3% of 319 pre-mitigation radon tests in Shelby County from 2008 to 2017 were at or above 4 pCi/L, according to CDC Tracking Network laboratory data. The county is in EPA radon Zone 3. Any home can have high radon, so testing is the only way to know.
What is the average radon level in Shelby County?
The median test result in Shelby County is 1.0 pCi/L and the mean is 1.7 pCi/L (CDC Tracking Network, 2008–2017). For comparison, the average indoor radon level in U.S. homes is about 1.3 pCi/L, according to the EPA.
How does Shelby County compare with the rest of Tennessee?
Shelby County ranks 79 of 84 Tennessee counties (with at least 20 tests) by the share of tests at or above 4 pCi/L. Statewide, 32.8% of 23,071 laboratory tests reached that level.
Should I test if my neighbor’s result was low?
Yes. Radon depends on the soil and rock under each building and on how the building is built, so two houses on the same street can have very different results.
Sources and method
The CDC National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network collects radon test results from radon testing laboratories and summarizes them by county over 10-year periods; the latest period available is 2008–2017. Numbers describe buildings that were tested (mostly homes tested by their owners), not a random sample of every home, and counties with few tests are less reliable. We only publish county pages where at least 100 buildings were tested. State and U.S. figures on this page are weighted by the number of tests in each county. Data retrieved in November 2026.
- CDC Tracking Network Data Explorer: Radon Tests from Labs (median, mean, maximum, number of buildings tested and percent by level, 2008–2017)
- CDC: Radon Testing data
- CDC Tracking Network Data Explorer: Radon Tests from States (annual, 2022–2023)
- U.S. EPA: EPA Map of Radon Zones (June 2024 data file)
- Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Radon Program