Metro area air quality · 2024

Houghton, MI

Median AQI 12 (Good). 98.3% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

12
Median AQI
98.3%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
97%
Cleaner than US metros

Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 120 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Insights: Houghton, MI metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 12 over 120 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Excellent metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 118 Good days (98%), 2 Moderate (2%), and 0 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 31 while the highest single-day reading hit 66 (Moderate). Metro residents averaged roughly 29.5 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by +2 and the median AQI moved -1 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 Salem, OH (100.0% good, AQI 12); Steamboat Springs, CO (99.7% good, AQI 12); Ca¤on City, CO (97.8% good, AQI 13).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

12

Good

Good Days

98.3%

118 of 120 days

Max AQI

66

Moderate

Health Grade

Excellent

90th pct: 31

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 120 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

118

98%

Moderate

2

2%

USG

0

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Excellent

The Houghton, MI metro area's air quality is rated Excellent based on 98.3% 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 Houghton, MI metro compare?

How Houghton, MI compares

Good-day share better than US avg
Houghton, MI 98.3%
Salem, OH 100.0%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI better than US avg
Houghton, MI 12
Salem, OH 12
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Houghton, MI 0
Salem, OH 0
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is stable in the Houghton, MI metro. Best year: 2022 (119 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 116 0 0 13
2021 109 8 0 14
2022 119 3 0 12
2023 105 12 0 16
2024 118 2 0 12

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Houghton, MI.

Salem, OH

AQI 12 · 100.0% good

12

Steamboat Springs, CO

AQI 12 · 99.7% good

12

Ca¤on City, CO

AQI 13 · 97.8% good

13

Mayaguez, PR

AQI 11 · 100.0% good

11

Show Low, AZ

AQI 13 · 99.5% good

13

Los Alamos, NM

AQI 14 · 100.0% good

14

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the air quality in the Houghton, MI metro area? ▼
The Houghton, MI metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 12, rated "Good." 98.3% of monitored days (118 out of 120) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Houghton, MI have? ▼
In 2024, the Houghton, MI metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 66.
Is air quality in Houghton, MI getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Houghton, MI metro is stable based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2022 with 119 good days. Worst year: 2023 with 105 good days.
What does AQI 12 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 12 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 Houghton, MI? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Houghton, MI metro area is 31, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 66 (Moderate).
How does Houghton, MI compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Houghton, MI metro has 98.3% good air days. Similar metros: Salem, OH (100.0% good), Steamboat Springs, CO (99.7% good), Ca¤on City, CO (97.8% 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