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

Poor

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

Good-day share worse than US avg
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 45.1%
Austin-Round Rock, TX 41.0%
US average 71.3%
Median AQI worse than US avg
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 53
Austin-Round Rock, TX 53
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr worse than US avg
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 3
Austin-Round Rock, TX 0
US average 1

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
2020 117 230 2 55
2021 85 271 0 59
2022 63 286 0 58
2023 68 270 3 61
2024 118 237 1 55
2025 137 154 3 53

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI.

More Air Quality Data

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

Air Quality Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the air quality in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area?
The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 53, rated "Moderate." 45.1% of monitored days (137 out of 304) had good air quality in 2025.
How many unhealthy air days does Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI have?
In 2025, the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area recorded 3 unhealthy air days (3 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 166.
Is air quality in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI getting better or worse?
Air quality in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro is improving based on 5-year trends (2020-2025). Best year: 2025 with 137 good days. Worst year: 2022 with 63 good days.
What does AQI 53 mean for health?
An AQI of 53 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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The 90th percentile AQI for the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is 85, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 166 (Unhealthy).
How does Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI compare to other metro areas?
The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro has 45.1% good air days. Similar metros: Austin-Round Rock, TX (41.0% good), Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX (35.4% good), Hanford-Corcoran, CA (39.8% good).

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.

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.