Metro area air quality · 2024

Burlington-South Burlington, VT

Median AQI 37 (Good). 88.3% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

37
Median AQI
88.3%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
82%
Cleaner than US metros

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

Insights: Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 37 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 323 Good days (88%), 43 Moderate (12%), and 0 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 51 while the highest single-day reading hit 84 (Moderate). Metro residents averaged roughly 26.5 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by +21 and the median AQI moved -2 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as improving. 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 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY (76.5% good, AQI 37); Altoona, PA (80.9% good, AQI 37); Appleton, WI (79.5% good, AQI 37).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

37

Good

Good Days

88.3%

323 of 366 days

Max AQI

84

Moderate

Health Grade

Good

90th pct: 51

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

323

88%

Moderate

43

12%

USG

0

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Good

The Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area's air quality is rated Good based on 88.3% 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.

How does the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro compare?

How Burlington-South Burlington, VT compares

Good-day share better than US avg
Burlington-South Burlington, VT 88.3%
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY 76.5%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI better than US avg
Burlington-South Burlington, VT 37
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY 37
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Burlington-South Burlington, VT 0
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY 0
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is improving in the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro. Best year: 2024 (323 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 302 64 0 39
2021 288 76 0 40
2022 298 67 0 41
2023 259 100 2 42
2024 323 43 0 37

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Burlington-South Burlington, VT.

Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY

AQI 37 · 76.5% good

37

Altoona, PA

AQI 37 · 80.9% good

37

Appleton, WI

AQI 37 · 79.5% good

37

Baraboo, WI

AQI 37 · 85.3% good

37

Bay City, MI

AQI 37 · 76.3% good

37

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL

AQI 37 · 92.1% good

37

More Air Quality Data

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Worst Air Quality

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All Metro Areas

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Best and Worst City Air

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Air Quality Guides

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Understanding AQI

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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 Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area? ▼
The Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 37, rated "Good." 88.3% of monitored days (323 out of 366) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Burlington-South Burlington, VT have? ▼
In 2024, the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 84.
Is air quality in Burlington-South Burlington, VT getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro is improving based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2024 with 323 good days. Worst year: 2023 with 259 good days.
What does AQI 37 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 37 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 Burlington-South Burlington, VT? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area is 51, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 84 (Moderate).
How does Burlington-South Burlington, VT compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro has 88.3% good air days. Similar metros: Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY (76.5% good), Altoona, PA (80.9% good), Appleton, WI (79.5% 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