Emporia, KS

EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Metro area air quality from EPA Air Quality System (2024). 122 days monitored. Median AQI: 29 (Good).

Insights: Emporia, KS metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 29 over 122 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Good metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 106 Good days (87%), 16 Moderate (13%), and 0 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 53 while the highest single-day reading hit 94 (Moderate). Metro residents averaged roughly 26.1 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -4 and the median AQI moved +5 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as stable. 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 Grants Pass, OR (77.6% good, AQI 29); Athens, OH (90.7% good, AQI 28); Lynchburg, VA (86.4% good, AQI 28).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

29

Good

Good Days

86.9%

106 of 122 days

Max AQI

94

Moderate

Health Grade

Good

90th pct: 53

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 122 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

106

87%

Moderate

16

13%

USG

0

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Good

The Emporia, KS metro area's air quality is rated Good based on 86.9% 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.

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is stable in the Emporia, KS metro. Best year: 2022 (110 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 110 11 0 24
2021 102 18 0 27
2022 110 11 0 25
2023 98 19 0 29
2024 106 16 0 29

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Emporia, KS.

Grants Pass, OR

AQI 29 · 77.6% good

29

Athens, OH

AQI 28 · 90.7% good

28

Lynchburg, VA

AQI 28 · 86.4% good

28

Wenatchee, WA

AQI 28 · 80.0% good

28

Butte-Silver Bow, MT

AQI 31 · 70.5% good

31

Dyersburg, TN

AQI 31 · 82.4% good

31

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FEMA disaster declarations. Wildfire, flood, and storm history affecting air quality. FEMA.gov →

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 Emporia, KS metro area? ▼
The Emporia, KS metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 29, rated "Good." 86.9% of monitored days (106 out of 122) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Emporia, KS have? ▼
In 2024, the Emporia, KS metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 94.
Is air quality in Emporia, KS getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Emporia, KS metro is stable based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2022 with 110 good days. Worst year: 2023 with 98 good days.
What does AQI 29 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 29 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 Emporia, KS? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Emporia, KS metro area is 53, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 94 (Moderate).
How does Emporia, KS compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Emporia, KS metro has 86.9% good air days. Similar metros: Grants Pass, OR (77.6% good), Athens, OH (90.7% good), Lynchburg, VA (86.4% 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