Metro area air quality · 2024

Fresno, CA

Median AQI 67 (Moderate). 19.4% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

67
Median AQI
19.4%
Good-air days
14
Unhealthy days
1%
Cleaner than US metros

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

Insights: Fresno, CA metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 67 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 71 Good days (19%), 216 Moderate (59%), and 65 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (18%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 126 while the highest single-day reading hit 169 (Unhealthy). Metro residents averaged roughly 5.8 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 -9 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as improving. The metro recorded 14 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 El Paso, TX (22.1% good, AQI 67); Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO (19.9% good, AQI 64); Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV (24.6% good, AQI 64).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

67

Moderate

Good Days

19.4%

71 of 366 days

Max AQI

169

Unhealthy

Health Grade

Very Poor

90th pct: 126

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

71

19%

Moderate

216

59%

USG

65

18%

Unhealthy

14

4%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Very Poor

The Fresno, CA metro area's air quality is rated Very Poor based on 19.4% good air days. There were 14 unhealthy days in 2024 when outdoor activity should be limited.

While median air quality is acceptable, peak events reached unhealthy levels on 14 days in 2024. Sensitive groups should be aware of episodic risk and monitor AirNow.gov during high-pollution periods.

How does the Fresno, CA metro compare?

How Fresno, CA compares

Good-day share worse than US avg
Fresno, CA 19.4%
El Paso, TX 22.1%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI worse than US avg
Fresno, CA 67
El Paso, TX 67
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr worse than US avg
Fresno, CA 14
El Paso, TX 12
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is improving in the Fresno, CA metro. Best year: 2023 (97 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 75 192 31 76
2021 62 221 17 68
2022 78 217 3 71
2023 97 210 3 64
2024 71 216 14 67

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Fresno, CA.

El Paso, TX

AQI 67 · 22.1% good

67

Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO

AQI 64 · 19.9% good

64

Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV

AQI 64 · 24.6% good

64

El Centro, CA

AQI 63 · 22.7% good

63

Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX

AQI 63 · 11.8% good

63

San Diego-Carlsbad, CA

AQI 71 · 12.8% good

71

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

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Understanding AQI

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Best & Worst City Air Quality

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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 Fresno, CA metro area? ▼
The Fresno, CA metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 67, rated "Moderate." 19.4% of monitored days (71 out of 366) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Fresno, CA have? ▼
In 2024, the Fresno, CA metro area recorded 14 unhealthy air days (14 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 169.
Is air quality in Fresno, CA getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Fresno, CA metro is improving based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2023 with 97 good days. Worst year: 2021 with 62 good days.
What does AQI 67 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 67 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 Fresno, CA? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Fresno, CA metro area is 126, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 169 (Unhealthy).
How does Fresno, CA compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Fresno, CA metro has 19.4% good air days. Similar metros: El Paso, TX (22.1% good), Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO (19.9% good), Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV (24.6% 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