Metro area air quality · 2024

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

Median AQI 59 (Moderate). 23.5% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

59
Median AQI
23.5%
Good-air days
10
Unhealthy days
2%
Cleaner than US metros

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

Insights: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 59 over 366 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Moderate band and a Very Poor metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 86 Good days (24%), 226 Moderate (62%), and 44 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (12%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 115 while the highest single-day reading hit 203 (Very Unhealthy). Metro residents averaged roughly 7.0 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -49 and the median AQI moved +5 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as worsening. The metro recorded 10 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 Hanford-Corcoran, CA (27.3% good, AQI 60); Albuquerque, NM (27.3% good, AQI 61); Birmingham-Hoover, AL (25.7% good, AQI 57).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

59

Moderate

Good Days

23.5%

86 of 366 days

Max AQI

203

Very Unhealthy

Health Grade

Very Poor

90th pct: 115

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

86

23%

Moderate

226

62%

USG

44

12%

Unhealthy

9

2%

Very Unhealthy

1

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Very Poor

The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area's air quality is rated Very Poor based on 23.5% good air days. There were 10 unhealthy days in 2024 when outdoor activity should be limited.

Air quality reached unhealthy levels on 10 days in 2024 (9 Unhealthy, 1 Very Unhealthy). Sensitive groups, including people with asthma, COPD, cardiovascular conditions, children, and adults over 65, should review the daily breakdown and follow local advisories.

Sensitive group advisory

People with asthma, COPD, heart disease, children, pregnant women, and adults 65+ should follow EPA AQI alerts daily and limit outdoor exertion when AQI exceeds 100. Real-time conditions: airnow.gov.

How does the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro compare?

How Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX compares

Good-day share worse than US avg
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 23.5%
Hanford-Corcoran, CA 27.3%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI worse than US avg
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 59
Hanford-Corcoran, CA 60
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr worse than US avg
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 10
Hanford-Corcoran, CA 2
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is worsening in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro. Best year: 2020 (135 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 135 207 3 54
2021 128 206 3 54
2022 99 214 3 58
2023 75 237 9 60
2024 86 226 9 59

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX.

Hanford-Corcoran, CA

AQI 60 · 27.3% good

60

Albuquerque, NM

AQI 61 · 27.3% good

61

Birmingham-Hoover, AL

AQI 57 · 25.7% good

57

Bishop, CA

AQI 61 · 24.6% good

61

Brownsville-Harlingen, TX

AQI 61 · 27.1% good

61

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

AQI 56 · 30.1% good

56

More Air Quality Data

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Worst Air Quality

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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 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area? ▼
The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 59, rated "Moderate." 23.5% of monitored days (86 out of 366) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX have? ▼
In 2024, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area recorded 10 unhealthy air days (9 Unhealthy, 1 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 203.
Is air quality in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2020 with 135 good days. Worst year: 2023 with 75 good days.
What does AQI 59 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 59 is "Moderate", air quality is acceptable, but some pollutants may pose a moderate health concern for a small number of sensitive individuals.
What is the 90th percentile AQI for Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area is 115, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 203 (Very Unhealthy).
How does Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro has 23.5% good air days. Similar metros: Hanford-Corcoran, CA (27.3% good), Albuquerque, NM (27.3% good), Birmingham-Hoover, AL (25.7% 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