Metro area air quality · 2024
Bakersfield, CA
Median AQI 72 (Moderate). 20.8% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.
- 72
- Median AQI
- 20.8%
- Good-air days
- 21
- Unhealthy days
- 1%
- Cleaner than US metros
Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 366 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →
Insights: Bakersfield, CA metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 72 over 366 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Moderate band and a Very Poor metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 76 Good days (21%), 196 Moderate (54%), and 73 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (20%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 140 while the highest single-day reading hit 177 (Unhealthy). Metro residents averaged roughly 6.2 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.
Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by +20 and the median AQI moved -11 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as improving. The metro recorded 21 unhealthy-or-worse days combined, on those days the EPA recommends that sensitive groups limit prolonged outdoor exertion, and many schools and athletic programs adjust outdoor activity accordingly. Metros with comparable AQI profiles include San Diego-Carlsbad, CA (12.8% good, AQI 71); Visalia-Porterville, CA (20.8% good, AQI 71); El Paso, TX (22.1% good, AQI 67).
Air Quality Summary
Median AQI
72
Moderate
Good Days
20.8%
76 of 366 days
Max AQI
177
Unhealthy
Health Grade
Very Poor
90th pct: 140
AQI Day Breakdown (2024)
Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.
Good
76
21%
Moderate
196
54%
USG
73
20%
Unhealthy
21
6%
Very Unhealthy
0
0%
Hazardous
0
0%
Health Impact Assessment
The Bakersfield, CA metro area's air quality is rated Very Poor based on 20.8% good air days. There were 21 unhealthy days in 2024 when outdoor activity should be limited.
While median air quality is acceptable, peak events reached unhealthy levels on 21 days in 2024. Sensitive groups should be aware of episodic risk and monitor AirNow.gov during high-pollution periods.
How does the Bakersfield, CA metro compare?
How Bakersfield, CA compares
5-Year Air Quality Trend
Air quality is improving in the Bakersfield, CA metro. Best year: 2023 (85 good days).
| Year | Good | Moderate | Unhealthy | Median AQI | Max AQI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 56 | 180 | 28 | 83 | 267 |
| 2021 | 35 | 202 | 29 | 84 | 314 |
| 2022 | 47 | 196 | 12 | 80 | 289 |
| 2023 | 85 | 210 | 12 | 69 | 174 |
| 2024 | 76 | 196 | 21 | 72 | 177 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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