Metro area air quality · 2024

Columbia, MO

Median AQI 39 (Good). 94.2% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

39
Median AQI
94.2%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
92%
Cleaner than US metros

Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 259 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Insights: Columbia, MO metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 39 over 259 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Excellent metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 244 Good days (94%), 15 Moderate (6%), and 0 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 48 while the highest single-day reading hit 77 (Moderate). Metro residents averaged roughly 28.3 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by +9 and the median AQI moved +6 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as worsening. 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 Alexandria, LA (70.3% good, AQI 39); Bend-Redmond, OR (70.5% good, AQI 39); Billings, MT (76.2% good, AQI 39).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

39

Good

Good Days

94.2%

244 of 259 days

Max AQI

77

Moderate

Health Grade

Excellent

90th pct: 48

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 259 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

244

94%

Moderate

15

6%

USG

0

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Excellent

The Columbia, MO metro area's air quality is rated Excellent based on 94.2% 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 Columbia, MO metro compare?

How Columbia, MO compares

Good-day share better than US avg
Columbia, MO 94.2%
Alexandria, LA 70.3%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI better than US avg
Columbia, MO 39
Alexandria, LA 39
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Columbia, MO 0
Alexandria, LA 0
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is worsening in the Columbia, MO metro. Best year: 2024 (244 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 235 9 0 33
2021 233 12 0 37
2022 235 10 0 38
2023 195 44 0 42
2024 244 15 0 39

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Columbia, MO.

Alexandria, LA

AQI 39 · 70.3% good

39

Bend-Redmond, OR

AQI 39 · 70.5% good

39

Billings, MT

AQI 39 · 76.2% good

39

Brunswick, GA

AQI 39 · 78.1% good

39

College Station-Bryan, TX

AQI 39 · 65.7% good

39

Duluth, MN-WI

AQI 39 · 78.1% good

39

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All Metro Areas

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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 Columbia, MO metro area? ▼
The Columbia, MO metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 39, rated "Good." 94.2% of monitored days (244 out of 259) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Columbia, MO have? ▼
In 2024, the Columbia, MO metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 77.
Is air quality in Columbia, MO getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Columbia, MO metro is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2024 with 244 good days. Worst year: 2023 with 195 good days.
What does AQI 39 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 39 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 Columbia, MO? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Columbia, MO metro area is 48, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 77 (Moderate).
How does Columbia, MO compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Columbia, MO metro has 94.2% good air days. Similar metros: Alexandria, LA (70.3% good), Bend-Redmond, OR (70.5% good), Billings, MT (76.2% 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