Metro area air quality · 2024

Columbia, SC

Median AQI 47 (Good). 57.4% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

47
Median AQI
57.4%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
22%
Cleaner than US metros

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

Insights: Columbia, SC metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 47 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 210 Good days (57%), 155 Moderate (42%), and 1 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 61 while the highest single-day reading hit 141 (USG). Metro residents averaged roughly 17.2 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -38 and the median AQI moved +3 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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD (58.7% good, AQI 47); Bartlesville, OK (57.2% good, AQI 47); Dayton, OH (59.6% good, AQI 47).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

47

Good

Good Days

57.4%

210 of 366 days

Max AQI

141

USG

Health Grade

Moderate

90th pct: 61

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

210

57%

Moderate

155

42%

USG

1

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Moderate

The Columbia, SC metro area's air quality is rated Moderate based on 57.4% 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, SC metro compare?

How Columbia, SC compares

Good-day share worse than US avg
Columbia, SC 57.4%
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 58.7%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI worse than US avg
Columbia, SC 47
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 47
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Columbia, SC 0
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 1
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is worsening in the Columbia, SC metro. Best year: 2020 (248 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 248 117 0 44
2021 196 167 0 48
2022 228 137 0 47
2023 199 162 0 48
2024 210 155 0 47

Metros with Similar Air Quality

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

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

AQI 47 · 58.7% good

47

Bartlesville, OK

AQI 47 · 57.2% good

47

Dayton, OH

AQI 47 · 59.6% good

47

Florence, SC

AQI 47 · 61.4% good

47

Fort Wayne, IN

AQI 47 · 59.3% good

47

Gadsden, AL

AQI 47 · 58.6% good

47

More Air Quality Data

Explore EPA air quality rankings and guides across U.S. metros and counties.

Cleanest Metro Areas

U.S. metros ranked by their share of Good air-quality days.

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

What drives urban air quality and how metro areas compare.

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 Columbia, SC metro area? ▼
The Columbia, SC metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 47, rated "Good." 57.4% of monitored days (210 out of 366) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Columbia, SC have? ▼
In 2024, the Columbia, SC metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 141.
Is air quality in Columbia, SC getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Columbia, SC metro is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2020 with 248 good days. Worst year: 2021 with 196 good days.
What does AQI 47 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 47 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, SC? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Columbia, SC metro area is 61, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 141 (USG).
How does Columbia, SC compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Columbia, SC metro has 57.4% good air days. Similar metros: Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD (58.7% good), Bartlesville, OK (57.2% good), Dayton, OH (59.6% 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 Air Quality System (AQS) Annual AQI by CBSA summary files (metro-level) · 2020–2024