Metro area air quality · 2024

Columbus, GA-AL

Median AQI 49 (Good). 52.5% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

49
Median AQI
52.5%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
17%
Cleaner than US metros

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

Insights: Columbus, GA-AL 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 192 Good days (52%), 167 Moderate (46%), and 7 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (2%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 67 while the highest single-day reading hit 127 (USG). Metro residents averaged roughly 15.7 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -34 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 Boulder, CO (57.9% good, AQI 49); Carlsbad-Artesia, NM (51.4% good, AQI 49); Colorado Springs, CO (55.2% good, AQI 49).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

49

Good

Good Days

52.5%

192 of 366 days

Max AQI

127

USG

Health Grade

Moderate

90th pct: 67

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

192

52%

Moderate

167

46%

USG

7

2%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Moderate

The Columbus, GA-AL metro area's air quality is rated Moderate based on 52.5% 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 Columbus, GA-AL metro compare?

How Columbus, GA-AL compares

Good-day share worse than US avg
Columbus, GA-AL 52.5%
Boulder, CO 57.9%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI worse than US avg
Columbus, GA-AL 49
Boulder, CO 49
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Columbus, GA-AL 0
Boulder, CO 1
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is worsening in the Columbus, GA-AL metro. Best year: 2020 (226 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 226 139 0 46
2021 205 156 1 48
2022 187 176 0 50
2023 150 212 1 52
2024 192 167 0 49

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Columbus, GA-AL.

Boulder, CO

AQI 49 · 57.9% good

49

Carlsbad-Artesia, NM

AQI 49 · 51.4% good

49

Colorado Springs, CO

AQI 49 · 55.2% 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

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 Columbus, GA-AL metro area? ▼
The Columbus, GA-AL metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 49, rated "Good." 52.5% of monitored days (192 out of 366) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Columbus, GA-AL have? ▼
In 2024, the Columbus, GA-AL metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 127.
Is air quality in Columbus, GA-AL getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Columbus, GA-AL metro is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2020 with 226 good days. Worst year: 2023 with 150 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 Columbus, GA-AL? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is 67, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 127 (USG).
How does Columbus, GA-AL compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Columbus, GA-AL metro has 52.5% good air days. Similar metros: Boulder, CO (57.9% good), Carlsbad-Artesia, NM (51.4% good), Colorado Springs, CO (55.2% 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