Athens, TN

EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Metro area air quality from EPA Air Quality System (2024). 356 days monitored. Median AQI: 32 (Good).

Insights: Athens, TN metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 32 over 356 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Good metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 281 Good days (79%), 75 Moderate (21%), and 0 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 54 while the highest single-day reading hit 89 (Moderate). Metro residents averaged roughly 23.7 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by +1 and the median AQI moved -5 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as stable. The metro avoided any Unhealthy-tier days entirely, an outcome that typically reflects favorable wind patterns, lower industrial density, or effective regional emission controls. Metros with comparable AQI profiles include Clearlake, CA (99.5% good, AQI 32); Cookeville, TN (83.7% good, AQI 32); Crescent City, CA (80.3% good, AQI 32).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

32

Good

Good Days

78.9%

281 of 356 days

Max AQI

89

Moderate

Health Grade

Good

90th pct: 54

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 356 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

281

79%

Moderate

75

21%

USG

0

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Good

The Athens, TN metro area's air quality is rated Good based on 78.9% good air days. No unhealthy air days were recorded in 2024.

Air quality is generally acceptable. Unusually sensitive people should monitor real-time conditions at AirNow.gov during high-pollution events.

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is stable in the Athens, TN metro. Best year: 2024 (281 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 280 78 0 37
2021 250 110 0 37
2022 233 124 0 41
2023 238 115 0 39
2024 281 75 0 32

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Athens, TN.

Clearlake, CA

AQI 32 · 99.5% good

32

Cookeville, TN

AQI 32 · 83.7% good

32

Crescent City, CA

AQI 32 · 80.3% good

32

Grand Island, NE

AQI 32 · 76.8% good

32

Roanoke Rapids, NC

AQI 32 · 79.0% good

32

Sandpoint, ID

AQI 32 · 74.5% good

32

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PlainHazard — Natural Disasters

FEMA disaster declarations. Wildfire, flood, and storm history affecting air quality. FEMA.gov →

Air Quality Guides

Learn more about air quality monitoring, pollutants, and health impacts.

Understanding AQI

What each AQI level means and who is most at risk.

Best & Worst City Air Quality

Metro area air quality rankings and what drives urban pollution.

Health Effects of Air Pollution

How PM2.5 and ozone exposure affects respiratory and cardiovascular health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the air quality in the Athens, TN metro area? ▼
The Athens, TN metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 32, rated "Good." 78.9% of monitored days (281 out of 356) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Athens, TN have? ▼
In 2024, the Athens, TN metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 89.
Is air quality in Athens, TN getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Athens, TN metro is stable based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2024 with 281 good days. Worst year: 2022 with 233 good days.
What does AQI 32 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 32 is "Good" — air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no health risk. This is the best category on the EPA's AQI scale.
What is the 90th percentile AQI for Athens, TN? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Athens, TN metro area is 54, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 89 (Moderate).
How does Athens, TN compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Athens, TN metro has 78.9% good air days. Similar metros: Clearlake, CA (99.5% good), Cookeville, TN (83.7% good), Crescent City, CA (80.3% good).

Data Sources

Primary Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Air Quality System (AQS), Annual AQI by CBSA dataset, 2020–2024. The AQS collects ambient air monitoring data from state, local, and tribal monitoring agencies across the United States.

Metrics: Air Quality Index (AQI) is calculated using EPA-standard breakpoints for six criteria pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, NO2, CO, and SO2. Median AQI, max AQI, and 90th percentile AQI are computed from daily measurements. Good days percentage reflects days with AQI 0–50.

Coverage: 501 metro areas (Core Based Statistical Areas). Only metros with active monitoring stations are included. Unmonitored areas are not represented.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Source: U.S. EPA — AirNow / AQS Air Quality Index readings and pollutant concentrations · 2025