Median AQI
55
Moderate
Arkansas · County air quality · 2025
Pulaski County, Arkansas
Median AQI 55 (Moderate). 31.2% of monitored days rated Good, direct from EPA Air Quality System stations.
- 55
- Median AQI
- 31.2%
- Good-air days
- 0
- Unhealthy days
- 2%
- Cleaner than US counties
Pulaski County's 2025 annual median AQI is 55 (Moderate), with 31.2% Good days
According to the U.S. EPA Air Quality System, Pulaski County, Arkansas posted a 2025 median AQI of 55 (Moderate) across 365 monitored days, with 31.2% rated Good and 0 unhealthy or worse. This is an annual comparison, not today's advisory.
Data source EPA Air Quality System (AQS)
- Cleaner than US
- Pulaski County's 31.2% Good-day share places it cleaner than 2% of US counties in 2025.
- Closest median-AQI peer
- Butler County (33.1% Good, median AQI 55) is the closest nationwide median-AQI peer to Pulaski County.
- 2020–2025 trend
- Pulaski County's floor-qualifying Good-day share is worsening from 2020 to 2025 (50.8% → 31.2%).
- Median AQI
- Median AQI: 55
The verdict
According to EPA Air Quality System monitoring data, Pulaski County's air is moderate on balance, among the most polluted counties nationally, a median AQI of 55 with 31.2% of 365 monitored days in the Good band, driven mainly by PM2.5.
- 55
- median AQI · Moderate
- 31.2%
- days rated Good
- PM2.5
- main pollutant
- 2%
- cleaner than US counties
Not one day crossed into the Unhealthy tier; the worst single reading was AQI 138.
Annual release change
What changed in the 2025 EPA annual release
- Pulaski County's peak single-day AQI fell from 205 to 138 between the 2024 and 2025 EPA annual releases, a change of -67 points.
- Pulaski County's Good-day share fell from 32.2% to 31.2% between the 2024 and 2025 EPA annual releases, a change of -1.0 percentage points.
Data updated August 2026
- Good · 114 d · 31.2%
- Moderate · 247 d · 67.7%
- USG · 4 d · 1.1%
How did Pulaski County's air break down in 2025?
Across 365 monitored days, 114 fell in the Good band (AQI 0–50) and 0 reached Unhealthy or worse. The worst single day peaked at AQI 138 (USG).
EPA AQS →Air quality data from EPA Air Quality System (2025). 365 days monitored. Median AQI: 55 (Moderate).
Insights: Pulaski County, Arkansas. EPA monitors recorded a median Air Quality Index of 55 across 365 measured days in 2025, earning a Moderate classification and a Poor health grade. Of those days, 114 (31%) fell in the Good band (AQI 0–50), 247 (68%) registered Moderate readings, and 4 (1%) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. The 90th-percentile AQI settled at 69, while the worst single-day peak hit 138 (USG). Residents averaged about 9.4 clean-air days per 30-day window during the monitoring year.
The full pollutant mix ranks as PM2.5 (284 days), Ozone (79 days), NO2 (2 days). Across the 2020–2025 trend window, the share of monitored days rated Good shifted by -19.6 points and the median AQI moved +5 points, placing the multi-year trajectory at worsening. The worst single reading over the 2020–2025 window was AQI 138, usg but never Unhealthy. Nearby counties show comparable readings: Arkansas (52.9% good, AQI 48); Ashley (55.7% good, AQI 48); Clark (96.7% good, AQI 34); Crittenden (80.8% good, AQI 39); Garland (49.2% good, AQI 51); Jackson (62.3% good, AQI 46).
Air Quality Summary
Good Days
31.2%
114 of 365 monitored days
-43.8pp vs 75% target
Max AQI Recorded
138
USG
Health Grade
Poor
90th-pct AQI 69
Pulaski County, Good days share 31.2%
National avg
Share of monitored days at AQI 0-50 (Good band).
Pulaski County, Unhealthy-or-worse share 0.0%
National avg
Share of monitored days above AQI 150 (Unhealthy or worse). Bar maxes at 10% (worst-county ceiling).
AQI Day Breakdown (2025)
Distribution of 365 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.
Good
114
31%
Moderate
247
68%
USG
4
1%
Unhealthy
0
0%
Very Unhealthy
0
0%
Hazardous
0
0%
Pollutant Breakdown
Days where each pollutant was the primary driver of AQI readings in Pulaski County.
- PM2.5 · 284 days · 77.8%
- Ozone · 79 days · 21.6%
- NO₂ · 2 days · 0.5%
Health Impact Assessment
Poor
Pulaski County's air quality is rated Poor based on 31.2% good air days. No unhealthy air days were recorded in 2025.
Air quality was acceptable on 31.2% of monitored days in 2025, with a median AQI of 55. Unusually sensitive people can check real-time conditions at AirNow.gov during high-pollution events.
The dominant pollutant is PM2.5, driving AQI on 284 of 365 monitored days.
5-Year Air Quality Trend
Air quality is worsening in Pulaski County. Highest Good-day share: 2020 (50.8%, 186 of 366 monitored days).
| Year | Good | Moderate | USG | Unhealthy | Median AQI | Max AQI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 186 | 178 | 2 | 0 | 50 | 132 |
| 2021 | 114 | 249 | 2 | 0 | 54 | 112 |
| 2022 | 153 | 211 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 115 |
| 2023 | 122 | 238 | 4 | 1 | 55 | 174 |
| 2024 | 118 | 242 | 5 | 0 | 55 | 205 |
| 2025 | 114 | 247 | 4 | 0 | 55 | 138 |
How does Pulaski County compare?
How Pulaski County compares
Good-day share worse than US avg
Pulaski County 31.2%
Butler County, Ohio 33.1%
US average 76.0%
Median AQI worse than US avg
Pulaski County 55
Butler County, Ohio 55
US average 39
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Pulaski County 0
Butler County, Ohio 1
US average 1
Counties with a similar median AQI
Nationwide peers within about the same annual median AQI as Pulaski County (55), not geographic neighbors.
Butler County, Ohio
Median AQI 55 · 33.1% Good-day share
Inyo County, California
Median AQI 55 · 37.3% Good-day share
St. Louis City County, Missouri
Median AQI 55 · 34.3% Good-day share
Hamilton County, Ohio
Median AQI 54 · 34.3% Good-day share
Marion County, Indiana
Median AQI 54 · 40.0% Good-day share
Pima County, Arizona
Median AQI 54 · 33.7% Good-day share
Same primary pollutant: PM2.5
PM2.5 led the AQI on the most monitored days here. These peers share that driver and the closest Good-day share (a second relationship type beyond median-AQI neighbors).
Tarrant County, Texas
31.8% Good-day share · median AQI 56
Cameron County, Texas
29.9% Good-day share · median AQI 57
Kings County, California
34.5% Good-day share · median AQI 57
Wayne County, Michigan
36.2% Good-day share · median AQI 54
Orange County, California
37.8% Good-day share · median AQI 53
Montgomery County, Texas
39.1% Good-day share · median AQI 53
Arkansas counties on the map
Geographic containment only, other monitored counties in Arkansas, independent of AQI or pollutant match.
What Pulaski County's air means for you
The air here stays in the breathable range year-round, with PM2.5 the main thing to watch.
- Sensitive groups (asthma, heart conditions, children, older adults) should check the AQI on high-PM2.5 days, the guide explains what a median of 55 means for exposure. Health guidance
- See how Pulaski County ranks against every monitored U.S. county on Good-day share. County rankings
- Compare Pulaski County with its Arkansas neighbours before drawing a conclusion about the region. All of Arkansas
Based on 365 EPA-monitored days in 2025; figures reflect only days the monitors reported. Source: EPA Air Quality System annual summaries.
Keep exploring the annual AQI record
Air-quality reading list
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the air quality in Pulaski County, Arkansas? ▼
Pulaski County has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 55, rated "Moderate." 31.2% of monitored days (114 out of 365) had good air quality in 2025.
What is the main pollutant in Pulaski County? ▼
The primary pollutant in Pulaski County is Fine Particles (PM2.5), which was the main AQI driver on 284 days (78% of monitored days). Penetrates deep into lungs and bloodstream. Linked to heart disease and premature death.
How many unhealthy air days does Pulaski County have? ▼
In 2025, Pulaski County recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 138.
Is the air quality in Pulaski County getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in Pulaski County is worsening across floor-qualifying years (2020-2025); years with fewer than 100 monitored days are excluded from that direction. Highest qualifying Good-day share: 2020 at 50.8% (186 of 366 days). Lowest qualifying Good-day share: 2025 at 31.2% (114 of 365 days).
What does AQI 55 mean for health? ▼
Pulaski County's median AQI of 55 falls in the "Moderate" category. See the AQI category guide for what each range means for health.
How does Pulaski County compare to other counties in Arkansas? ▼
Pulaski County has 31.2% good air days. Nearby counties in Arkansas: Arkansas (52.9% good), Ashley (55.7% good), Clark (96.7% good), Crittenden (80.8% good), Garland (49.2% good), Jackson (62.3% good).
What is the 90th percentile AQI in Pulaski County? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for Pulaski County is 69, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 138 (USG).
Data Sources
Primary Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Air Quality System (AQS), Annual AQI by County dataset, 2020–2025 (aqs.epa.gov). For current conditions (not shown here — this page is historical annual data), see EPA AirNow (airnow.gov). See our methodology for how AQI, median, and coverage figures are computed.
Informational only, not professional advice. Data from EPA AQS. See our disclaimer. Spotted a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
Source: U.S. EPA Air Quality System (AQS) Annual AQI by county summary files for Pulaski County, Arkansas · 2020–2025
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Every figure on PlainAirData is rendered directly from EPA AQS air-quality monitoring data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on EPA AQS air-quality monitoring data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.