Metro area air quality · 2024

Charlottesville, VA

Median AQI 40 (Good). 78.9% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

40
Median AQI
78.9%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
62%
Cleaner than US metros

Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 356 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Insights: Charlottesville, VA metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 40 over 356 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Good metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 281 Good days (79%), 75 Moderate (21%), and 0 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 55 while the highest single-day reading hit 85 (Moderate). Metro residents averaged roughly 23.7 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -6 and the median AQI moved -1 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as stable. 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 Bismarck, ND (73.0% good, AQI 40); Cambridge, MD (80.3% good, AQI 40); Charleston, WV (77.8% good, AQI 40).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

40

Good

Good Days

78.9%

281 of 356 days

Max AQI

85

Moderate

Health Grade

Good

90th pct: 55

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 356 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

281

79%

Moderate

75

21%

USG

0

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Good

The Charlottesville, VA metro area's air quality is rated Good based on 78.9% 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 Charlottesville, VA metro compare?

How Charlottesville, VA compares

Good-day share better than US avg
Charlottesville, VA 78.9%
Bismarck, ND 73.0%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI better than US avg
Charlottesville, VA 40
Bismarck, ND 40
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Charlottesville, VA 0
Bismarck, ND 2
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is stable in the Charlottesville, VA metro. Best year: 2020 (287 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 287 76 0 41
2021 261 99 0 41
2022 249 112 0 44
2023 254 104 3 44
2024 281 75 0 40

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Charlottesville, VA.

Bismarck, ND

AQI 40 · 73.0% good

40

Cambridge, MD

AQI 40 · 80.3% good

40

Charleston, WV

AQI 40 · 77.8% good

40

Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL

AQI 40 · 78.3% good

40

Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT

AQI 40 · 75.4% good

40

Jefferson City, MO

AQI 40 · 95.0% good

40

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 Charlottesville, VA metro area? ▼
The Charlottesville, VA metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 40, rated "Good." 78.9% of monitored days (281 out of 356) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Charlottesville, VA have? ▼
In 2024, the Charlottesville, VA metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 85.
Is air quality in Charlottesville, VA getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Charlottesville, VA metro is stable based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2020 with 287 good days. Worst year: 2022 with 249 good days.
What does AQI 40 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 40 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 Charlottesville, VA? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Charlottesville, VA metro area is 55, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 85 (Moderate).
How does Charlottesville, VA compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Charlottesville, VA metro has 78.9% good air days. Similar metros: Bismarck, ND (73.0% good), Cambridge, MD (80.3% good), Charleston, WV (77.8% 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