Lubbock, TX

EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Metro area air quality from EPA Air Quality System (2024). 358 days monitored. Median AQI: 23 (Good).

Insights: Lubbock, TX metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 23 over 358 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Excellent metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 330 Good days (92%), 28 Moderate (8%), and 0 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 47 while the highest single-day reading hit 91 (Moderate). Metro residents averaged roughly 27.7 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by +19 and the median AQI moved -3 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as improving. 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 Elko, NV (87.1% good, AQI 23); Ellensburg, WA (87.4% good, AQI 23); La Grande, OR (82.8% good, AQI 23).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

23

Good

Good Days

92.2%

330 of 358 days

Max AQI

91

Moderate

Health Grade

Excellent

90th pct: 47

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 358 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

330

92%

Moderate

28

8%

USG

0

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Excellent

The Lubbock, TX metro area's air quality is rated Excellent based on 92.2% 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.

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is improving in the Lubbock, TX metro. Best year: 2024 (330 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 311 41 0 26
2021 278 69 0 31
2022 300 45 0 26
2023 323 40 1 25
2024 330 28 0 23

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Lubbock, TX.

Elko, NV

AQI 23 · 87.1% good

23

Ellensburg, WA

AQI 23 · 87.4% good

23

La Grande, OR

AQI 23 · 82.8% good

23

The Dalles, OR

AQI 23 · 87.1% good

23

Twin Falls, ID

AQI 23 · 76.1% good

23

Aberdeen, SD

AQI 24 · 85.7% good

24

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Air Quality Guides

Learn more about air quality monitoring, pollutants, and health impacts.

Understanding AQI

What each AQI level means and who is most at risk.

Best & Worst City Air Quality

Metro area air quality rankings and what drives urban pollution.

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 Lubbock, TX metro area? ▼
The Lubbock, TX metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 23, rated "Good." 92.2% of monitored days (330 out of 358) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Lubbock, TX have? ▼
In 2024, the Lubbock, TX metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 91.
Is air quality in Lubbock, TX getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Lubbock, TX metro is improving based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2024 with 330 good days. Worst year: 2021 with 278 good days.
What does AQI 23 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 23 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 Lubbock, TX? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Lubbock, TX metro area is 47, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 91 (Moderate).
How does Lubbock, TX compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Lubbock, TX metro has 92.2% good air days. Similar metros: Elko, NV (87.1% good), Ellensburg, WA (87.4% good), La Grande, OR (82.8% 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