Median AQI
12
Good
New Mexico · County air quality · 2025
Socorro County, New Mexico
Median AQI 12 (Good). 100.0% of monitored days rated Good, direct from EPA Air Quality System stations.
- 12
- Median AQI
- 100.0%
- Good-air days
- 0
- Unhealthy days
- 96%
- Cleaner than US counties
The verdict
According to EPA Air Quality System monitoring data, Socorro County's air is good on balance, among the cleanest 5% of US counties, a median AQI of 12 with 100.0% of 20 monitored days in the Good band, driven mainly by PM2.5.
- 12
- median AQI · Good
- 100.0%
- days rated Good
- PM2.5
- main pollutant
- 96%
- cleaner than US counties
Not one day crossed into the Unhealthy tier; the worst single reading was AQI 24.
Data updated July 2026
- Good · 20 d · 100.0%
How did Socorro County's air break down in 2025?
Across 20 monitored days, 20 fell in the Good band (AQI 0–50) and 0 reached Unhealthy or worse. The worst single day peaked at AQI 24 (Good).
EPA AQS →Air quality data from EPA Air Quality System (2025). 20 days monitored. Median AQI: 12 (Good).
Insights: Socorro County, New Mexico. EPA monitors recorded a median Air Quality Index of 12 across 20 measured days in 2025, earning a Good classification and a Excellent health grade. Of those days, 20 (100%) fell in the Good band (AQI 0–50), 0 (0%) registered Moderate readings, and 0 (0%) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. The 90th-percentile AQI settled at 23, while the worst single-day peak hit 24 (Good). Residents averaged about 30.0 clean-air days per 30-day window during the monitoring year.
The full pollutant mix ranks as PM2.5 (20 days). Across the 2020–2025 trend window, good days shifted by -87 and the median AQI moved -2 points, placing the multi-year trajectory at improving. The worst single reading over the 2020–2025 window was AQI 24, good but never Unhealthy. Nearby counties show comparable readings: Bernalillo (23.7% good, AQI 59); Catron (100.0% good, AQI 8); Chaves (94.4% good, AQI 16); Dona Ana (19.4% good, AQI 70); Eddy (46.9% good, AQI 51); Lea (61.5% good, AQI 47).
Air Quality Summary
Good Days
100.0%
20 of 20 monitored days
25.0pp vs 75% target
Max AQI Recorded
24
Good
Health Grade
Excellent
90th-pct AQI 23
Socorro County, Good days share 100.0%
National avg
Share of monitored days at AQI 0-50 (Good band).
Socorro 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 20 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.
Good
20
100%
Moderate
0
0%
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 Socorro County.
- PM2.5 · 20 days · 100.0%
Health Impact Assessment
Excellent
Socorro County's air quality is rated Excellent based on 100.0% good air days. No unhealthy air days were recorded in 2025.
Air quality was acceptable on 100.0% of monitored days in 2025, with a median AQI of 12. Unusually sensitive people can check real-time conditions at AirNow.gov during high-pollution events.
The dominant pollutant is PM2.5, driving AQI on 20 of 20 monitored days.
5-Year Air Quality Trend
Air quality is improving in Socorro County. Best year: 2024 (120 good days).
| Year | Good | Moderate | USG | Unhealthy | Median AQI | Max AQI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 107 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 56 |
| 2021 | 114 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 61 |
| 2022 | 111 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 72 |
| 2023 | 117 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 51 |
| 2024 | 120 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 47 |
| 2025 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 24 |
How does Socorro County compare?
How Socorro County compares
Good-day share better than US avg
Socorro County 100.0%
Bernalillo County, New Mexico 23.7%
US average 76.5%
Median AQI better than US avg
Socorro County 12
Bernalillo County, New Mexico 59
US average 38
Unhealthy days / yr about average
Socorro 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 Socorro County.
Beaverhead County, Montana
AQI 12 · 100.0% good
Columbiana County, Ohio
AQI 12 · 100.0% good
Cook County, Minnesota
AQI 12 · 100.0% good
Mayagnez County, Puerto Rico
AQI 12 · 96.9% good
Navajo County, Arizona
AQI 12 · 99.6% good
Windham County, Vermont
AQI 12 · 100.0% good
What Socorro 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 12 means for exposure. Health guidance
- See how Socorro County ranks against every monitored U.S. county on Good-day share. County rankings
- Compare Socorro County with its New Mexico neighbours before drawing a conclusion about the region. All of New Mexico
Based on 20 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 Socorro County, New Mexico? ▼
Socorro County has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 12, rated "Good." 100.0% of monitored days (20 out of 20) had good air quality in 2025.
What is the main pollutant in Socorro County? ▼
The primary pollutant in Socorro County is Fine Particles (PM2.5), which was the main AQI driver on 20 days (100% of monitored days). Penetrates deep into lungs and bloodstream. Linked to heart disease and premature death.
How many unhealthy air days does Socorro County have? ▼
In 2025, Socorro County recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 24.
Is the air quality in Socorro County getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in Socorro County is improving based on 5-year trends (2020-2025). Best year: 2024 with 120 good days. Worst year: 2025 with 20 good days.
What does AQI 12 mean for health? ▼
Socorro County's median AQI of 12 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 Socorro County compare to other counties in New Mexico? ▼
Socorro County has 100.0% good air days. Nearby counties in New Mexico: Bernalillo (23.7% good), Catron (100.0% good), Chaves (94.4% good), Dona Ana (19.4% good), Eddy (46.9% good), Lea (61.5% good).
What is the 90th percentile AQI in Socorro County? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for Socorro County is 23, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 24 (Good).
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.