Metro area air quality · 2024

Lafayette, LA

Median AQI 51 (Moderate). 48.9% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

51
Median AQI
48.9%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
13%
Cleaner than US metros

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

Insights: Lafayette, LA metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 51 over 366 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Moderate band and a Poor metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 179 Good days (49%), 184 Moderate (50%), and 3 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (1%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 64 while the highest single-day reading hit 108 (USG). Metro residents averaged roughly 14.7 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -25 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 Corpus Christi, TX (48.6% good, AQI 51); Durham-Chapel Hill, NC (46.2% good, AQI 51); Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI (48.6% good, AQI 51).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

51

Moderate

Good Days

48.9%

179 of 366 days

Max AQI

108

USG

Health Grade

Poor

90th pct: 64

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

179

49%

Moderate

184

50%

USG

3

1%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Poor

The Lafayette, LA metro area's air quality is rated Poor based on 48.9% 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.

How does the Lafayette, LA metro compare?

How Lafayette, LA compares

Good-day share worse than US avg
Lafayette, LA 48.9%
Corpus Christi, TX 48.6%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI worse than US avg
Lafayette, LA 51
Corpus Christi, TX 51
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Lafayette, LA 0
Corpus Christi, TX 1
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is worsening in the Lafayette, LA metro. Best year: 2021 (239 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 204 160 0 46
2021 239 126 0 43
2022 207 156 0 47
2023 207 157 0 47
2024 179 184 0 51

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Lafayette, LA.

Corpus Christi, TX

AQI 51 · 48.6% good

51

Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

AQI 51 · 46.2% good

51

Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI

AQI 51 · 48.6% good

51

Jacksonville, FL

AQI 51 · 49.7% good

51

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

AQI 51 · 47.3% good

51

Macon, GA

AQI 51 · 48.9% good

51

More Air Quality Data

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Worst Air Quality

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All Metro Areas

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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 Lafayette, LA metro area? ▼
The Lafayette, LA metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 51, rated "Moderate." 48.9% of monitored days (179 out of 366) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Lafayette, LA have? ▼
In 2024, the Lafayette, LA metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 108.
Is air quality in Lafayette, LA getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Lafayette, LA metro is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2021 with 239 good days. Worst year: 2024 with 179 good days.
What does AQI 51 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 51 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 Lafayette, LA? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Lafayette, LA metro area is 64, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 108 (USG).
How does Lafayette, LA compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Lafayette, LA metro has 48.9% good air days. Similar metros: Corpus Christi, TX (48.6% good), Durham-Chapel Hill, NC (46.2% good), Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI (48.6% 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