Median AQI
44
Good
Indiana · County air quality · 2025
Elkhart County, Indiana
Median AQI 44 (Good). 61.0% of monitored days rated Good, direct from EPA Air Quality System stations.
- 44
- Median AQI
- 61.0%
- Good-air days
- 0
- Unhealthy days
- 16%
- Cleaner than US counties
The verdict
According to EPA Air Quality System monitoring data, Elkhart County's air is good on balance, among the more polluted 10% of US counties, a median AQI of 44 with 61.0% of 272 monitored days in the Good band, driven mainly by PM2.5.
- 44
- median AQI · Good
- 61.0%
- days rated Good
- PM2.5
- main pollutant
- 16%
- cleaner than US counties
Not one day crossed into the Unhealthy tier; the worst single reading was AQI 132.
Data updated July 2026
- Good · 166 d · 61.0%
- Moderate · 102 d · 37.5%
- USG · 4 d · 1.5%
How did Elkhart County's air break down in 2025?
Across 272 monitored days, 166 fell in the Good band (AQI 0–50) and 0 reached Unhealthy or worse. The worst single day peaked at AQI 132 (USG).
EPA AQS →Air quality data from EPA Air Quality System (2025). 272 days monitored. Median AQI: 44 (Good).
Insights: Elkhart County, Indiana. EPA monitors recorded a median Air Quality Index of 44 across 272 measured days in 2025, earning a Good classification and a Moderate health grade. Of those days, 166 (61%) fell in the Good band (AQI 0–50), 102 (38%) registered Moderate readings, and 4 (1%) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. The 90th-percentile AQI settled at 65, while the worst single-day peak hit 132 (USG). Residents averaged about 18.3 clean-air days per 30-day window during the monitoring year.
The full pollutant mix ranks as PM2.5 (146 days), Ozone (126 days). Across the 2020–2025 trend window, good days shifted by -88 and the median AQI moved +2 points, placing the multi-year trajectory at worsening. The worst single reading over the 2020–2025 window was AQI 132, usg but never Unhealthy. Nearby counties show comparable readings: Allen (58.2% good, AQI 45); Bartholomew (69.2% good, AQI 44); Boone (86.9% good, AQI 38); Brown (94.5% good, AQI 37); Carroll (87.8% good, AQI 37); Clark (59.7% good, AQI 46).
Air Quality Summary
Good Days
61.0%
166 of 272 monitored days
-14.0pp vs 75% target
Max AQI Recorded
132
USG
Health Grade
Moderate
90th-pct AQI 65
Elkhart County, Good days share 61.0%
National avg
Share of monitored days at AQI 0-50 (Good band).
Elkhart 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 272 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.
Good
166
61%
Moderate
102
38%
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 Elkhart County.
- PM2.5 · 146 days · 53.7%
- Ozone · 126 days · 46.3%
Health Impact Assessment
Moderate
Elkhart County's air quality is rated Moderate based on 61.0% good air days. No unhealthy air days were recorded in 2025.
Air quality was acceptable on 61.0% of monitored days in 2025, with a median AQI of 44. Unusually sensitive people can check real-time conditions at AirNow.gov during high-pollution events.
The dominant pollutant is PM2.5, driving AQI on 146 of 272 monitored days.
5-Year Air Quality Trend
Air quality is worsening in Elkhart County. Best year: 2020 (254 good days).
| Year | Good | Moderate | USG | Unhealthy | Median AQI | Max AQI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 254 | 110 | 0 | 2 | 42 | 161 |
| 2021 | 214 | 151 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 87 |
| 2022 | 242 | 117 | 3 | 0 | 43 | 127 |
| 2023 | 228 | 130 | 5 | 2 | 44 | 193 |
| 2024 | 227 | 138 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 145 |
| 2025 | 166 | 102 | 4 | 0 | 44 | 132 |
How does Elkhart County compare?
How Elkhart County compares
Good-day share worse than US avg
Elkhart County 61.0%
Allen County, Indiana 58.2%
US average 76.5%
Median AQI worse than US avg
Elkhart County 44
Allen County, Indiana 45
US average 38
Unhealthy days / yr about average
Elkhart County 0
Allen County, Indiana 0
US average 0
Other Counties in Indiana
Air quality comparison for nearby counties in Indiana.
Counties with Similar Air Quality
Counties across the US with a similar median AQI to Elkhart County.
Baltimore County, Maryland
AQI 44 · 70.4% good
Baltimore (City) County, Maryland
AQI 44 · 68.7% good
Bartholomew County, Indiana
AQI 44 · 69.2% good
Berks County, Pennsylvania
AQI 44 · 65.6% good
Bolivar County, Mississippi
AQI 44 · 70.3% good
Brewster County, Texas
AQI 44 · 69.0% good
What Elkhart 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 44 means for exposure. Health guidance
- See how Elkhart County ranks against every monitored U.S. county on Good-day share. County rankings
- Compare Elkhart County with its Indiana neighbours before drawing a conclusion about the region. All of Indiana
Based on 272 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 Elkhart County, Indiana? ▼
Elkhart County has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 44, rated "Good." 61.0% of monitored days (166 out of 272) had good air quality in 2025.
What is the main pollutant in Elkhart County? ▼
The primary pollutant in Elkhart County is Fine Particles (PM2.5), which was the main AQI driver on 146 days (54% of monitored days). Penetrates deep into lungs and bloodstream. Linked to heart disease and premature death.
How many unhealthy air days does Elkhart County have? ▼
In 2025, Elkhart County recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 132.
Is the air quality in Elkhart County getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in Elkhart County is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2025). Best year: 2020 with 254 good days. Worst year: 2025 with 166 good days.
What does AQI 44 mean for health? ▼
Elkhart County's median AQI of 44 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 Elkhart County compare to other counties in Indiana? ▼
Elkhart County has 61.0% good air days. Nearby counties in Indiana: Allen (58.2% good), Bartholomew (69.2% good), Boone (86.9% good), Brown (94.5% good), Carroll (87.8% good), Clark (59.7% good).
What is the 90th percentile AQI in Elkhart County? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for Elkhart County is 65, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 132 (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.
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.