Metro area air quality · 2024

Bemidji, MN

Median AQI 36 (Good). 84.2% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

36
Median AQI
84.2%
Good-air days
1
Unhealthy days
74%
Cleaner than US metros

Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 366 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Insights: Bemidji, MN metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 36 over 366 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Good metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 308 Good days (84%), 54 Moderate (15%), and 3 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (1%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 55 while the highest single-day reading hit 177 (Unhealthy). Metro residents averaged roughly 25.2 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -10 and the median AQI moved +6 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as worsening. The metro recorded 1 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 Barnstable Town, MA (94.3% good, AQI 36); Bennington, VT (91.0% good, AQI 36); Brookings, SD (79.8% good, AQI 36).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

36

Good

Good Days

84.2%

308 of 366 days

Max AQI

177

Unhealthy

Health Grade

Good

90th pct: 55

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

308

84%

Moderate

54

15%

USG

3

1%

Unhealthy

1

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Good

The Bemidji, MN metro area's air quality is rated Good based on 84.2% good air days. There were 1 unhealthy days in 2024 when outdoor activity should be limited.

Air quality is acceptable most days, but 3 days reached "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" and peak AQI reached 177. Sensitive groups should monitor real-time conditions at AirNow.gov.

How does the Bemidji, MN metro compare?

How Bemidji, MN compares

Good-day share better than US avg
Bemidji, MN 84.2%
Barnstable Town, MA 94.3%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI better than US avg
Bemidji, MN 36
Barnstable Town, MA 36
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr about average
Bemidji, MN 1
Barnstable Town, MA 0
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is worsening in the Bemidji, MN metro. Best year: 2022 (318 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 318 41 0 30
2021 281 51 2 29
2022 318 28 0 23
2023 247 107 1 27
2024 308 54 1 36

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Bemidji, MN.

Barnstable Town, MA

AQI 36 · 94.3% good

36

Bennington, VT

AQI 36 · 91.0% good

36

Brookings, SD

AQI 36 · 79.8% good

36

Cadillac, MI

AQI 36 · 89.1% good

36

Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL

AQI 36 · 93.2% good

36

Greenfield Town, MA

AQI 36 · 81.1% good

36

More Air Quality Data

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Worst Air Quality

Counties and metros with the most unhealthy air days.

All Metro Areas

Annual AQI by CBSA for every monitored U.S. metro area.

Best and Worst City Air

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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 Bemidji, MN metro area? ▼
The Bemidji, MN metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 36, rated "Good." 84.2% of monitored days (308 out of 366) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Bemidji, MN have? ▼
In 2024, the Bemidji, MN metro area recorded 1 unhealthy air days (1 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 177.
Is air quality in Bemidji, MN getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Bemidji, MN metro is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2022 with 318 good days. Worst year: 2023 with 247 good days.
What does AQI 36 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 36 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 Bemidji, MN? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Bemidji, MN metro area is 55, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 177 (Unhealthy).
How does Bemidji, MN compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Bemidji, MN metro has 84.2% good air days. Similar metros: Barnstable Town, MA (94.3% good), Bennington, VT (91.0% good), Brookings, SD (79.8% 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