Metro area air quality · 2024

La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN

Median AQI 37 (Good). 96.1% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

37
Median AQI
96.1%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
94%
Cleaner than US metros

Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 205 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Insights: La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 37 over 205 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Excellent metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 197 Good days (96%), 8 Moderate (4%), and 0 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 47 while the highest single-day reading hit 67 (Moderate). Metro residents averaged roughly 28.8 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -58 and the median AQI moved -5 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 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY (76.5% good, AQI 37); Altoona, PA (80.9% good, AQI 37); Appleton, WI (79.5% good, AQI 37).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

37

Good

Good Days

96.1%

197 of 205 days

Max AQI

67

Moderate

Health Grade

Excellent

90th pct: 47

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 205 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

197

96%

Moderate

8

4%

USG

0

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Excellent

The La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area's air quality is rated Excellent based on 96.1% 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 La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro compare?

How La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN compares

Good-day share better than US avg
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN 96.1%
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY 76.5%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI better than US avg
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN 37
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY 37
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN 0
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY 0
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is worsening in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro. Best year: 2022 (271 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 255 109 0 42
2021 240 124 0 43
2022 271 94 0 41
2023 199 130 5 45
2024 197 8 0 37

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN.

Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY

AQI 37 · 76.5% good

37

Altoona, PA

AQI 37 · 80.9% good

37

Appleton, WI

AQI 37 · 79.5% good

37

Baraboo, WI

AQI 37 · 85.3% good

37

Bay City, MI

AQI 37 · 76.3% good

37

Burlington-South Burlington, VT

AQI 37 · 88.3% good

37

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the air quality in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area? ▼
The La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 37, rated "Good." 96.1% of monitored days (197 out of 205) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN have? ▼
In 2024, the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 67.
Is air quality in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2022 with 271 good days. Worst year: 2024 with 197 good days.
What does AQI 37 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 37 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 La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area is 47, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 67 (Moderate).
How does La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN compare to other metro areas? ▼
The La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro has 96.1% good air days. Similar metros: Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY (76.5% good), Altoona, PA (80.9% good), Appleton, WI (79.5% 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