Lynchburg, VA

EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Metro area air quality from EPA Air Quality System (2024). 118 days monitored. Median AQI: 28 (Good).

Insights: Lynchburg, VA metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 28 over 118 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Good metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 102 Good days (86%), 16 Moderate (14%), and 0 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 52 while the highest single-day reading hit 61 (Moderate). Metro residents averaged roughly 25.9 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by +3 and the median AQI moved +0 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 Athens, OH (90.7% good, AQI 28); Wenatchee, WA (80.0% good, AQI 28); Emporia, KS (86.9% good, AQI 29).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

28

Good

Good Days

86.4%

102 of 118 days

Max AQI

61

Moderate

Health Grade

Good

90th pct: 52

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 118 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

102

86%

Moderate

16

14%

USG

0

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Good

The Lynchburg, VA metro area's air quality is rated Good based on 86.4% 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 stable in the Lynchburg, VA metro. Best year: 2024 (102 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 99 11 0 28
2021 98 21 0 32
2022 97 19 0 29
2023 93 24 0 34
2024 102 16 0 28

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Lynchburg, VA.

Athens, OH

AQI 28 · 90.7% good

28

Wenatchee, WA

AQI 28 · 80.0% good

28

Emporia, KS

AQI 29 · 86.9% good

29

Grants Pass, OR

AQI 29 · 77.6% good

29

Moscow, ID

AQI 27 · 81.2% good

27

Roswell, NM

AQI 27 · 91.2% good

27

Related Environmental & Health Data

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PlainHazard — Natural Disasters

FEMA disaster declarations. Wildfire, flood, and storm history affecting air quality. FEMA.gov →

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 Lynchburg, VA metro area? ▼
The Lynchburg, VA metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 28, rated "Good." 86.4% of monitored days (102 out of 118) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Lynchburg, VA have? ▼
In 2024, the Lynchburg, VA metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 61.
Is air quality in Lynchburg, VA getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Lynchburg, VA metro is stable based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2024 with 102 good days. Worst year: 2023 with 93 good days.
What does AQI 28 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 28 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 Lynchburg, VA? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Lynchburg, VA metro area is 52, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 61 (Moderate).
How does Lynchburg, VA compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Lynchburg, VA metro has 86.4% good air days. Similar metros: Athens, OH (90.7% good), Wenatchee, WA (80.0% good), Emporia, KS (86.9% 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