Metro area air quality · 2024
El Centro, CA
Median AQI 63 (Moderate). 22.7% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.
- 63
- Median AQI
- 22.7%
- Good-air days
- 8
- Unhealthy days
- 2%
- Cleaner than US metros
Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 366 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →
Insights: El Centro, CA metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 63 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 83 Good days (23%), 233 Moderate (64%), and 42 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (11%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 107 while the highest single-day reading hit 341 (Hazardous). Metro residents averaged roughly 6.8 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.
Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -11 and the median AQI moved +3 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as worsening. The metro recorded 8 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 Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX (11.8% good, AQI 63); Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO (19.9% good, AQI 64); Las Cruces, NM (26.5% good, AQI 62).
Air Quality Summary
Median AQI
63
Moderate
Good Days
22.7%
83 of 366 days
Max AQI
341
Hazardous
Health Grade
Very Poor
90th pct: 107
AQI Day Breakdown (2024)
Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.
Good
83
23%
Moderate
233
64%
USG
42
11%
Unhealthy
5
1%
Very Unhealthy
2
1%
Hazardous
1
0%
Health Impact Assessment
The El Centro, CA metro area's air quality is rated Very Poor based on 22.7% good air days. There were 8 unhealthy days in 2024 when outdoor activity should be limited.
Air quality posed significant health risk in 2024. Sensitive groups, including people with asthma, COPD, cardiovascular conditions, children, pregnant women, and adults over 65, should monitor AirNow.gov alerts and limit outdoor activity on Unhealthy (AQI 151+) and Very Unhealthy (201+) days. Peak readings reached AQI 341, well into the Hazardous range.
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 El Centro, CA metro compare?
How El Centro, CA compares
5-Year Air Quality Trend
Air quality is worsening in the El Centro, CA metro. Best year: 2023 (104 good days).
| Year | Good | Moderate | Unhealthy | Median AQI | Max AQI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 94 | 244 | 2 | 60 | 166 |
| 2021 | 84 | 252 | 4 | 60 | 436 |
| 2022 | 86 | 232 | 5 | 61 | 791 |
| 2023 | 104 | 214 | 3 | 61 | 506 |
| 2024 | 83 | 233 | 5 | 63 | 341 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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