Median AQI
36
Good
California · County air quality · 2025
Tehama County, California
Median AQI 36 (Good). 80.7% of monitored days rated Good, direct from EPA Air Quality System stations.
- 36
- Median AQI
- 80.7%
- Good-air days
- 0
- Unhealthy days
- 54%
- Cleaner than US counties
The verdict
According to EPA Air Quality System monitoring data, Tehama County's air is good on balance, cleaner than the median US county, a median AQI of 36 with 80.7% of 212 monitored days in the Good band, driven mainly by PM2.5.
- 36
- median AQI · Good
- 80.7%
- days rated Good
- PM2.5
- main pollutant
- 54%
- cleaner than US counties
Not one day crossed into the Unhealthy tier; the worst single reading was AQI 90.
Data updated July 2026
- Good · 171 d · 80.7%
- Moderate · 41 d · 19.3%
How did Tehama County's air break down in 2025?
Across 212 monitored days, 171 fell in the Good band (AQI 0–50) and 0 reached Unhealthy or worse. The worst single day peaked at AQI 90 (Moderate).
EPA AQS →Air quality data from EPA Air Quality System (2025). 212 days monitored. Median AQI: 36 (Good).
Insights: Tehama County, California. EPA monitors recorded a median Air Quality Index of 36 across 212 measured days in 2025, earning a Good classification and a Good health grade. Of those days, 171 (81%) fell in the Good band (AQI 0–50), 41 (19%) registered Moderate readings, and 0 (0%) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. The 90th-percentile AQI settled at 54, while the worst single-day peak hit 90 (Moderate). Residents averaged about 24.2 clean-air days per 30-day window during the monitoring year.
The full pollutant mix ranks as PM2.5 (109 days), Ozone (97 days), PM10 (6 days). Across the 2020–2025 trend window, good days shifted by -45 and the median AQI moved -10 points, placing the multi-year trajectory at improving. The worst single reading over the 2020–2025 window was AQI 90, moderate but never Unhealthy. Nearby counties show comparable readings: Amador (84.8% good, AQI 40); Butte (66.1% good, AQI 47); Calaveras (73.9% good, AQI 43); Colusa (84.9% good, AQI 39); Del Norte (81.0% good, AQI 33); El Dorado (85.8% good, AQI 39).
Air Quality Summary
Good Days
80.7%
171 of 212 monitored days
5.7pp vs 75% target
Max AQI Recorded
90
Moderate
Health Grade
Good
90th-pct AQI 54
Tehama County, Good days share 80.7%
National avg
Share of monitored days at AQI 0-50 (Good band).
Tehama 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 212 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.
Good
171
81%
Moderate
41
19%
USG
0
0%
Unhealthy
0
0%
Very Unhealthy
0
0%
Hazardous
0
0%
Pollutant Breakdown
Days where each pollutant was the primary driver of AQI readings in Tehama County.
- PM2.5 · 109 days · 51.4%
- Ozone · 97 days · 45.8%
- PM10 · 6 days · 2.8%
Health Impact Assessment
Good
Tehama County's air quality is rated Good based on 80.7% good air days. No unhealthy air days were recorded in 2025.
Air quality was acceptable on 80.7% of monitored days in 2025, with a median AQI of 36. Unusually sensitive people can check real-time conditions at AirNow.gov during high-pollution events.
The dominant pollutant is PM2.5, driving AQI on 109 of 212 monitored days.
5-Year Air Quality Trend
Air quality is improving in Tehama County. Best year: 2024 (252 good days).
| Year | Good | Moderate | USG | Unhealthy | Median AQI | Max AQI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 216 | 117 | 12 | 19 | 46 | 218 |
| 2021 | 207 | 122 | 21 | 15 | 47 | 193 |
| 2022 | 245 | 117 | 3 | 0 | 44 | 108 |
| 2023 | 242 | 117 | 6 | 0 | 44 | 136 |
| 2024 | 252 | 112 | 2 | 0 | 43 | 109 |
| 2025 | 171 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 90 |
How does Tehama County compare?
How Tehama County compares
Good-day share better than US avg
Tehama County 80.7%
Amador County, California 84.8%
US average 76.5%
Median AQI better than US avg
Tehama County 36
Amador County, California 40
US average 38
Unhealthy days / yr about average
Tehama County 0
Amador County, California 0
US average 0
Other Counties in California
Air quality comparison for nearby counties in California.
Counties with Similar Air Quality
Counties across the US with a similar median AQI to Tehama County.
Aroostook County, Maine
AQI 36 · 84.1% good
Berkeley County, South Carolina
AQI 36 · 92.2% good
Carter County, Kentucky
AQI 36 · 89.8% good
Claiborne County, Tennessee
AQI 36 · 96.3% good
Clark County, Illinois
AQI 36 · 92.1% good
Cobb County, Georgia
AQI 36 · 92.5% good
What Tehama 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 36 means for exposure. Health guidance
- See how Tehama County ranks against every monitored U.S. county on Good-day share. County rankings
- Compare Tehama County with its California neighbours before drawing a conclusion about the region. All of California
Based on 212 EPA-monitored days in 2025; figures reflect only days the monitors reported. Source: EPA Air Quality System annual summaries.
More Air Quality Data
Air Quality Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the air quality in Tehama County, California? ▼
Tehama County has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 36, rated "Good." 80.7% of monitored days (171 out of 212) had good air quality in 2025.
What is the main pollutant in Tehama County? ▼
The primary pollutant in Tehama County is Fine Particles (PM2.5), which was the main AQI driver on 109 days (51% of monitored days). Penetrates deep into lungs and bloodstream. Linked to heart disease and premature death.
How many unhealthy air days does Tehama County have? ▼
In 2025, Tehama County recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 90.
Is the air quality in Tehama County getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in Tehama County is improving based on 5-year trends (2020-2025). Best year: 2024 with 252 good days. Worst year: 2025 with 171 good days.
What does AQI 36 mean for health? ▼
Tehama County's median AQI of 36 falls in the "Good" category. See the <a href="/guides/understanding-aqi" class="underline">AQI category guide</a> for what each range means for health.
How does Tehama County compare to other counties in California? ▼
Tehama County has 80.7% good air days. Nearby counties in California: Amador (84.8% good), Butte (66.1% good), Calaveras (73.9% good), Colusa (84.9% good), Del Norte (81.0% good), El Dorado (85.8% good).
What is the 90th percentile AQI in Tehama County? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for Tehama County is 54, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 90 (Moderate).
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.
Every figure on PlainAir 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.