Median AQI
36
Good
New York · County air quality · 2025
Wayne County, New York
Median AQI 36 (Good). 94.7% of monitored days rated Good, direct from EPA Air Quality System stations.
- 36
- Median AQI
- 94.7%
- Good-air days
- 0
- Unhealthy days
- 88%
- Cleaner than US counties
The verdict
According to EPA Air Quality System monitoring data, Wayne County's air is good on balance, cleaner than most US counties, a median AQI of 36 with 94.7% of 265 monitored days in the Good band, driven mainly by Ozone.
- 36
- median AQI · Good
- 94.7%
- days rated Good
- Ozone
- main pollutant
- 88%
- cleaner than US counties
Not one day crossed into the Unhealthy tier; the worst single reading was AQI 150.
Data updated July 2026
- Good · 251 d · 94.7%
- Moderate · 13 d · 4.9%
- USG · 1 d · 0.4%
How did Wayne County's air break down in 2025?
Across 265 monitored days, 251 fell in the Good band (AQI 0–50) and 0 reached Unhealthy or worse. The worst single day peaked at AQI 150 (USG).
EPA AQS →Air quality data from EPA Air Quality System (2025). 265 days monitored. Median AQI: 36 (Good).
Insights: Wayne County, New York. EPA monitors recorded a median Air Quality Index of 36 across 265 measured days in 2025, earning a Good classification and a Excellent health grade. Of those days, 251 (95%) fell in the Good band (AQI 0–50), 13 (5%) registered Moderate readings, and 1 (0%) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. The 90th-percentile AQI settled at 48, while the worst single-day peak hit 150 (USG). Residents averaged about 28.4 clean-air days per 30-day window during the monitoring year.
The full pollutant mix ranks as Ozone (265 days). Across the 2020–2025 trend window, good days shifted by -54 and the median AQI moved +2 points, placing the multi-year trajectory at stable. The worst single reading over the 2020–2025 window was AQI 150, usg but never Unhealthy. Nearby counties show comparable readings: Albany (67.4% good, AQI 39); Bronx (56.6% good, AQI 47); Chautauqua (88.6% good, AQI 39); Dutchess (92.7% good, AQI 37); Erie (61.3% good, AQI 44); Essex (79.8% good, AQI 42).
Air Quality Summary
Good Days
94.7%
251 of 265 monitored days
19.7pp vs 75% target
Max AQI Recorded
150
USG
Health Grade
Excellent
90th-pct AQI 48
Wayne County, Good days share 94.7%
National avg
Share of monitored days at AQI 0-50 (Good band).
Wayne 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 265 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.
Good
251
95%
Moderate
13
5%
USG
1
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 Wayne County.
- Ozone · 265 days · 100.0%
Health Impact Assessment
Excellent
Wayne County's air quality is rated Excellent based on 94.7% good air days. No unhealthy air days were recorded in 2025.
Air quality was acceptable on 94.7% 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 Ozone, driving AQI on 265 of 265 monitored days.
5-Year Air Quality Trend
Air quality is stable in Wayne County. Best year: 2024 (339 good days).
| Year | Good | Moderate | USG | Unhealthy | Median AQI | Max AQI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 305 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 80 |
| 2021 | 333 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 100 |
| 2022 | 333 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 101 |
| 2023 | 328 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 33 | 112 |
| 2024 | 339 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 87 |
| 2025 | 251 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 150 |
How does Wayne County compare?
How Wayne County compares
Good-day share better than US avg
Wayne County 94.7%
Albany County, New York 67.4%
US average 76.5%
Median AQI better than US avg
Wayne County 36
Albany County, New York 39
US average 38
Unhealthy days / yr about average
Wayne County 0
Albany County, New York 0
US average 0
Other Counties in New York
Air quality comparison for nearby counties in New York.
Counties with Similar Air Quality
Counties across the US with a similar median AQI to Wayne 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 Wayne County's air means for you
The air here stays in the breathable range year-round, with Ozone the main thing to watch.
- Sensitive groups (asthma, heart conditions, children, older adults) should check the AQI on high-Ozone days, the guide explains what a median of 36 means for exposure. Health guidance
- See how Wayne County ranks against every monitored U.S. county on Good-day share. County rankings
- Compare Wayne County with its New York neighbours before drawing a conclusion about the region. All of New York
Based on 265 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 Wayne County, New York? ▼
Wayne County has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 36, rated "Good." 94.7% of monitored days (251 out of 265) had good air quality in 2025.
What is the main pollutant in Wayne County? ▼
The primary pollutant in Wayne County is Ozone (O3), which was the main AQI driver on 265 days (100% of monitored days). Can trigger asthma, reduce lung function, and cause chest pain.
How many unhealthy air days does Wayne County have? ▼
In 2025, Wayne County recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 150.
Is the air quality in Wayne County getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in Wayne County is stable based on 5-year trends (2020-2025). Best year: 2024 with 339 good days. Worst year: 2025 with 251 good days.
What does AQI 36 mean for health? ▼
Wayne 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 Wayne County compare to other counties in New York? ▼
Wayne County has 94.7% good air days. Nearby counties in New York: Albany (67.4% good), Bronx (56.6% good), Chautauqua (88.6% good), Dutchess (92.7% good), Erie (61.3% good), Essex (79.8% good).
What is the 90th percentile AQI in Wayne County? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for Wayne County is 48, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 150 (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.