Metro area air quality · 2024

Carlsbad-Artesia, NM

Median AQI 49 (Good). 51.4% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

49
Median AQI
51.4%
Good-air days
3
Unhealthy days
15%
Cleaner than US metros

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

Insights: Carlsbad-Artesia, NM metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 49 over 366 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Moderate metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 188 Good days (51%), 142 Moderate (39%), and 33 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (9%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 100 while the highest single-day reading hit 179 (Unhealthy). Metro residents averaged roughly 15.4 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -56 and the median AQI moved +3 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as worsening. The metro recorded 3 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 Boulder, CO (57.9% good, AQI 49); Colorado Springs, CO (55.2% good, AQI 49); Columbus, GA-AL (52.5% good, AQI 49).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

49

Good

Good Days

51.4%

188 of 366 days

Max AQI

179

Unhealthy

Health Grade

Moderate

90th pct: 100

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

188

51%

Moderate

142

39%

USG

33

9%

Unhealthy

3

1%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Moderate

The Carlsbad-Artesia, NM metro area's air quality is rated Moderate based on 51.4% good air days. There were 3 unhealthy days in 2024 when outdoor activity should be limited.

Air quality is acceptable most days, but 33 days reached "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" and peak AQI reached 179. Sensitive groups should monitor real-time conditions at AirNow.gov.

How does the Carlsbad-Artesia, NM metro compare?

How Carlsbad-Artesia, NM compares

Good-day share worse than US avg
Carlsbad-Artesia, NM 51.4%
Boulder, CO 57.9%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI worse than US avg
Carlsbad-Artesia, NM 49
Boulder, CO 49
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr worse than US avg
Carlsbad-Artesia, NM 3
Boulder, CO 1
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is worsening in the Carlsbad-Artesia, NM metro. Best year: 2020 (244 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 244 109 0 46
2021 219 120 1 47
2022 207 130 1 48
2023 195 151 0 49
2024 188 142 3 49

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Carlsbad-Artesia, NM.

Boulder, CO

AQI 49 · 57.9% good

49

Colorado Springs, CO

AQI 49 · 55.2% good

49

Columbus, GA-AL

AQI 49 · 52.5% good

49

El Dorado, AR

AQI 49 · 51.2% good

49

Glenwood Springs, CO

AQI 49 · 57.9% good

49

Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC

AQI 49 · 53.7% good

49

More Air Quality Data

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Worst Air Quality

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Air Quality Guides

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Understanding AQI

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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 Carlsbad-Artesia, NM metro area? ▼
The Carlsbad-Artesia, NM metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 49, rated "Good." 51.4% of monitored days (188 out of 366) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Carlsbad-Artesia, NM have? ▼
In 2024, the Carlsbad-Artesia, NM metro area recorded 3 unhealthy air days (3 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 179.
Is air quality in Carlsbad-Artesia, NM getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Carlsbad-Artesia, NM metro is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2020 with 244 good days. Worst year: 2024 with 188 good days.
What does AQI 49 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 49 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 Carlsbad-Artesia, NM? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Carlsbad-Artesia, NM metro area is 100, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 179 (Unhealthy).
How does Carlsbad-Artesia, NM compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Carlsbad-Artesia, NM metro has 51.4% good air days. Similar metros: Boulder, CO (57.9% good), Colorado Springs, CO (55.2% good), Columbus, GA-AL (52.5% 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