Metro area air quality · 2024

Macon, GA

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: Macon, GA 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%), 185 Moderate (51%), and 2 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (1%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 65 while the highest single-day reading hit 123 (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 -83 and the median AQI moved +9 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

123

USG

Health Grade

Poor

90th pct: 65

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

179

49%

Moderate

185

51%

USG

2

1%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Poor

The Macon, GA 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 Macon, GA metro compare?

How Macon, GA compares

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

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is worsening in the Macon, GA metro. Best year: 2020 (262 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 262 104 0 42
2021 198 165 0 48
2022 216 149 0 46
2023 136 211 1 53
2024 179 185 0 51

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Macon, GA.

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

Lafayette, LA

AQI 51 · 48.9% good

51

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

AQI 51 · 47.3% good

51

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All Metro Areas

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Air Quality Guides

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Understanding AQI

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Health Effects of Air Pollution

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the air quality in the Macon, GA metro area? ▼
The Macon, GA 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 Macon, GA have? ▼
In 2024, the Macon, GA metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 123.
Is air quality in Macon, GA getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Macon, GA metro is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2020 with 262 good days. Worst year: 2023 with 136 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 Macon, GA? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Macon, GA metro area is 65, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 123 (USG).
How does Macon, GA compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Macon, GA 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