Metro area air quality · 2024

Gadsden, AL

Median AQI 47 (Good). 58.6% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

47
Median AQI
58.6%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
24%
Cleaner than US metros

Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 362 monitored days. EPA AQS →

Insights: Gadsden, AL metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 47 over 362 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Moderate metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 212 Good days (59%), 150 Moderate (41%), and 0 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 60 while the highest single-day reading hit 93 (Moderate). Metro residents averaged roughly 17.6 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -27 and the median AQI moved +11 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as worsening. 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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD (58.7% good, AQI 47); Bartlesville, OK (57.2% good, AQI 47); Columbia, SC (57.4% good, AQI 47).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

47

Good

Good Days

58.6%

212 of 362 days

Max AQI

93

Moderate

Health Grade

Moderate

90th pct: 60

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 362 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

212

59%

Moderate

150

41%

USG

0

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Moderate

The Gadsden, AL metro area's air quality is rated Moderate based on 58.6% 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.

How does the Gadsden, AL metro compare?

How Gadsden, AL compares

Good-day share worse than US avg
Gadsden, AL 58.6%
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 58.7%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI worse than US avg
Gadsden, AL 47
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 47
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Gadsden, AL 0
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 1
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is worsening in the Gadsden, AL metro. Best year: 2020 (239 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 239 37 0 36
2021 235 51 0 38
2022 224 135 0 46
2023 182 183 0 51
2024 212 150 0 47

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Gadsden, AL.

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

AQI 47 · 58.7% good

47

Bartlesville, OK

AQI 47 · 57.2% good

47

Columbia, SC

AQI 47 · 57.4% good

47

Dayton, OH

AQI 47 · 59.6% good

47

Florence, SC

AQI 47 · 61.4% good

47

Fort Wayne, IN

AQI 47 · 59.3% good

47

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Air Quality Guides

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Health Effects of Air Pollution

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the air quality in the Gadsden, AL metro area? ▼
The Gadsden, AL metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 47, rated "Good." 58.6% of monitored days (212 out of 362) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Gadsden, AL have? ▼
In 2024, the Gadsden, AL metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 93.
Is air quality in Gadsden, AL getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Gadsden, AL metro is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2020 with 239 good days. Worst year: 2023 with 182 good days.
What does AQI 47 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 47 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 Gadsden, AL? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Gadsden, AL metro area is 60, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 93 (Moderate).
How does Gadsden, AL compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Gadsden, AL metro has 58.6% good air days. Similar metros: Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD (58.7% good), Bartlesville, OK (57.2% good), Columbia, SC (57.4% 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 Air Quality System (AQS) Annual AQI by CBSA summary files (metro-level) · 2020–2024