Metro area air quality · 2025
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Median AQI 53 (Moderate). 45.1% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.
- 53
- Median AQI
- 45.1%
- Good-air days
- 3
- Unhealthy days
- 9%
- Cleaner than US metros
Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2025), 304 monitored days. EPA AQS →
The verdict
The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro runs moderate on the EPA scale, among the more polluted US metros, a median AQI of 53 with 45.1% of 304 monitored days in the Good band.
- 53
- median AQI · Moderate
- 45.1%
- days rated Good
- 9%
- cleaner than US metros
- 166
- worst single reading
3 days reached Unhealthy or worse across the metro's monitors in 2025.
Insights: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 53 over 304 measured days in 2025, which corresponds to a Moderate band and a Poor metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 137 Good days (45%), 154 Moderate (51%), and 10 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (3%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 85 while the highest single-day reading hit 166 (Unhealthy). Metro residents averaged roughly 13.5 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.
Across the 2020–2025 trend window, good days shifted by +20 and the median AQI moved -2 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as improving. The metro recorded 3 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 Austin-Round Rock, TX (41.0% good, AQI 53); Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX (35.4% good, AQI 53); Hanford-Corcoran, CA (39.8% good, AQI 53).
Air Quality Summary
Median AQI
53
Moderate
Good Days
45.1%
137 of 304 days
Max AQI
166
Unhealthy
Health Grade
Poor
90th pct: 85
AQI Day Breakdown (2025)
Distribution of 304 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.
Good
137
45%
Moderate
154
51%
USG
10
3%
Unhealthy
3
1%
Very Unhealthy
0
0%
Hazardous
0
0%
Health Impact Assessment
The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area's air quality is rated Poor based on 45.1% good air days. There were 3 unhealthy days in 2025 when outdoor activity should be limited.
Air quality is acceptable most days, but 10 days reached "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" and peak AQI reached 166. Sensitive groups should monitor real-time conditions at AirNow.gov.
How does the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro compare?
How Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI compares
5-Year Air Quality Trend
Air quality is improving in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro. Best year: 2025 (137 good days).
| Year | Good | Moderate | Unhealthy | Median AQI | Max AQI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 117 | 230 | 2 | 55 | 188 |
| 2021 | 85 | 271 | 0 | 59 | 140 |
| 2022 | 63 | 286 | 0 | 58 | 133 |
| 2023 | 68 | 270 | 3 | 61 | 226 |
| 2024 | 118 | 237 | 1 | 55 | 181 |
| 2025 | 137 | 154 | 3 | 53 | 166 |
Metros with Similar Air Quality
Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI.
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Worst Air Quality
Counties and metros with the most unhealthy air days.
All Metro Areas
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Best and Worst City Air
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Air Quality Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the air quality in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area? ▼
How many unhealthy air days does Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI have? ▼
Is air quality in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI getting better or worse? ▼
What does AQI 53 mean for health? ▼
What is the 90th percentile AQI for Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI? ▼
How does Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI compare to other metro areas? ▼
Data Sources
Primary Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Air Quality System (AQS), Annual AQI by CBSA dataset, 2020–2025. See our methodology for how AQI, median, and coverage figures are computed.
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) · 2020–2025
Every figure on PlainAir is rendered directly from EPA AQS air-quality monitoring data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on EPA AQS air-quality monitoring data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.