Median AQI
16
Good
New Mexico · County air quality · 2025
Chaves County, New Mexico
Median AQI 16 (Good). 94.4% of monitored days rated Good, direct from EPA Air Quality System stations.
- 16
- Median AQI
- 94.4%
- Good-air days
- 0
- Unhealthy days
- 87%
- Cleaner than US counties
The verdict
According to EPA Air Quality System monitoring data, Chaves County's air is good on balance, cleaner than most US counties, a median AQI of 16 with 94.4% of 18 monitored days in the Good band, driven mainly by PM2.5.
- 16
- median AQI · Good
- 94.4%
- days rated Good
- PM2.5
- main pollutant
- 87%
- cleaner than US counties
Not one day crossed into the Unhealthy tier; the worst single reading was AQI 53.
Data updated July 2026
- Good · 17 d · 94.4%
- Moderate · 1 d · 5.6%
How did Chaves County's air break down in 2025?
Across 18 monitored days, 17 fell in the Good band (AQI 0–50) and 0 reached Unhealthy or worse. The worst single day peaked at AQI 53 (Moderate).
EPA AQS →Air quality data from EPA Air Quality System (2025). 18 days monitored. Median AQI: 16 (Good).
Insights: Chaves County, New Mexico. EPA monitors recorded a median Air Quality Index of 16 across 18 measured days in 2025, earning a Good classification and a Excellent health grade. Of those days, 17 (94%) fell in the Good band (AQI 0–50), 1 (6%) registered Moderate readings, and 0 (0%) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. The 90th-percentile AQI settled at 47, while the worst single-day peak hit 53 (Moderate). Residents averaged about 28.3 clean-air days per 30-day window during the monitoring year.
The full pollutant mix ranks as PM2.5 (18 days). Across the 2020–2025 trend window, good days shifted by -91 and the median AQI moved -7 points, placing the multi-year trajectory at improving. The worst single reading over the 2020–2025 window was AQI 53, moderate but never Unhealthy. Nearby counties show comparable readings: Bernalillo (23.7% good, AQI 59); Catron (100.0% good, AQI 8); Dona Ana (19.4% good, AQI 70); Eddy (46.9% good, AQI 51); Lea (61.5% good, AQI 47); Lincoln (89.5% good, AQI 11).
Air Quality Summary
Good Days
94.4%
17 of 18 monitored days
19.4pp vs 75% target
Max AQI Recorded
53
Moderate
Health Grade
Excellent
90th-pct AQI 47
Chaves County, Good days share 94.4%
National avg
Share of monitored days at AQI 0-50 (Good band).
Chaves 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 18 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.
Good
17
94%
Moderate
1
6%
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 Chaves County.
- PM2.5 · 18 days · 100.0%
Health Impact Assessment
Excellent
Chaves County's air quality is rated Excellent based on 94.4% good air days. No unhealthy air days were recorded in 2025.
Air quality was acceptable on 94.4% of monitored days in 2025, with a median AQI of 16. Unusually sensitive people can check real-time conditions at AirNow.gov during high-pollution events.
The dominant pollutant is PM2.5, driving AQI on 18 of 18 monitored days.
5-Year Air Quality Trend
Air quality is improving in Chaves County. Best year: 2021 (110 good days).
| Year | Good | Moderate | USG | Unhealthy | Median AQI | Max AQI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 108 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 78 |
| 2021 | 110 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 74 |
| 2022 | 108 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 64 |
| 2023 | 107 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 75 |
| 2024 | 104 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 88 |
| 2025 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 53 |
How does Chaves County compare?
How Chaves County compares
Good-day share better than US avg
Chaves County 94.4%
Bernalillo County, New Mexico 23.7%
US average 76.5%
Median AQI better than US avg
Chaves County 16
Bernalillo County, New Mexico 59
US average 38
Unhealthy days / yr about average
Chaves County 0
Bernalillo County, New Mexico 3
US average 0
Other Counties in New Mexico
Air quality comparison for nearby counties in New Mexico.
Counties with Similar Air Quality
Counties across the US with a similar median AQI to Chaves County.
Potter County, Texas
AQI 16 · 93.4% good
Lake County, California
AQI 17 · 100.0% good
Pacific County, Washington
AQI 15 · 100.0% good
Sanders County, Montana
AQI 15 · 100.0% good
Apache County, Arizona
AQI 14 · 99.6% good
Dawson County, Montana
AQI 14 · 95.0% good
What Chaves 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 16 means for exposure. Health guidance
- See how Chaves County ranks against every monitored U.S. county on Good-day share. County rankings
- Compare Chaves County with its New Mexico neighbours before drawing a conclusion about the region. All of New Mexico
Based on 18 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 Chaves County, New Mexico? ▼
Chaves County has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 16, rated "Good." 94.4% of monitored days (17 out of 18) had good air quality in 2025.
What is the main pollutant in Chaves County? ▼
The primary pollutant in Chaves County is Fine Particles (PM2.5), which was the main AQI driver on 18 days (100% of monitored days). Penetrates deep into lungs and bloodstream. Linked to heart disease and premature death.
How many unhealthy air days does Chaves County have? ▼
In 2025, Chaves County recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 53.
Is the air quality in Chaves County getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in Chaves County is improving based on 5-year trends (2020-2025). Best year: 2021 with 110 good days. Worst year: 2025 with 17 good days.
What does AQI 16 mean for health? ▼
Chaves County's median AQI of 16 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 Chaves County compare to other counties in New Mexico? ▼
Chaves County has 94.4% good air days. Nearby counties in New Mexico: Bernalillo (23.7% good), Catron (100.0% good), Dona Ana (19.4% good), Eddy (46.9% good), Lea (61.5% good), Lincoln (89.5% good).
What is the 90th percentile AQI in Chaves County? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for Chaves County is 47, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 53 (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.