Metro area air quality · 2024

Brainerd, MN

Median AQI 38 (Good). 79.5% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

38
Median AQI
79.5%
Good-air days
1
Unhealthy days
63%
Cleaner than US metros

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

Insights: Brainerd, MN metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 38 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 291 Good days (80%), 74 Moderate (20%), and 0 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 56 while the highest single-day reading hit 164 (Unhealthy). Metro residents averaged roughly 23.9 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -35 and the median AQI moved +5 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 Americus, GA (93.4% good, AQI 38); Beaver Dam, WI (81.2% good, AQI 38); Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA (91.9% good, AQI 38).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

38

Good

Good Days

79.5%

291 of 366 days

Max AQI

164

Unhealthy

Health Grade

Good

90th pct: 56

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

291

80%

Moderate

74

20%

USG

0

0%

Unhealthy

1

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Good

The Brainerd, MN metro area's air quality is rated Good based on 79.5% good air days. There were 1 unhealthy days in 2024 when outdoor activity should be limited.

Air quality is acceptable most days, but 0 days reached "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" and peak AQI reached 164. Sensitive groups should monitor real-time conditions at AirNow.gov.

How does the Brainerd, MN metro compare?

How Brainerd, MN compares

Good-day share better than US avg
Brainerd, MN 79.5%
Americus, GA 93.4%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI better than US avg
Brainerd, MN 38
Americus, GA 38
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr about average
Brainerd, MN 1
Americus, GA 0
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is worsening in the Brainerd, MN metro. Best year: 2020 (326 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 326 40 0 33
2021 110 243 3 54
2022 306 59 0 39
2023 234 121 1 43
2024 291 74 1 38

Metros with Similar Air Quality

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

Americus, GA

AQI 38 · 93.4% good

38

Beaver Dam, WI

AQI 38 · 81.2% good

38

Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA

AQI 38 · 91.9% good

38

Dickinson, ND

AQI 38 · 82.8% good

38

Eau Claire, WI

AQI 38 · 81.7% good

38

Erie, PA

AQI 38 · 80.6% good

38

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Air Quality Guides

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Health Effects of Air Pollution

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the air quality in the Brainerd, MN metro area? ▼
The Brainerd, MN metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 38, rated "Good." 79.5% of monitored days (291 out of 366) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Brainerd, MN have? ▼
In 2024, the Brainerd, MN metro area recorded 1 unhealthy air days (1 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 164.
Is air quality in Brainerd, MN getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Brainerd, MN metro is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2020 with 326 good days. Worst year: 2021 with 110 good days.
What does AQI 38 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 38 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 Brainerd, MN? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Brainerd, MN metro area is 56, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 164 (Unhealthy).
How does Brainerd, MN compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Brainerd, MN metro has 79.5% good air days. Similar metros: Americus, GA (93.4% good), Beaver Dam, WI (81.2% good), Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA (91.9% 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