Metro area air quality · 2024

Meridian, MS

Median AQI 36 (Good). 99.6% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

36
Median AQI
99.6%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
98%
Cleaner than US metros

Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 243 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Insights: Meridian, MS metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 36 over 243 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Excellent metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 242 Good days (100%), 1 Moderate (0%), and 0 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 45 while the highest single-day reading hit 51 (Moderate). Metro residents averaged roughly 29.9 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -10 and the median AQI moved +5 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 Barnstable Town, MA (94.3% good, AQI 36); Bemidji, MN (84.2% good, AQI 36); Bennington, VT (91.0% good, AQI 36).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

36

Good

Good Days

99.6%

242 of 243 days

Max AQI

51

Moderate

Health Grade

Excellent

90th pct: 45

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 243 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

242

100%

Moderate

1

0%

USG

0

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Excellent

The Meridian, MS metro area's air quality is rated Excellent based on 99.6% 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 Meridian, MS metro compare?

How Meridian, MS compares

Good-day share better than US avg
Meridian, MS 99.6%
Barnstable Town, MA 94.3%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI better than US avg
Meridian, MS 36
Barnstable Town, MA 36
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Meridian, MS 0
Barnstable Town, MA 0
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is stable in the Meridian, MS metro. Best year: 2020 (252 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 252 0 0 31
2021 244 1 0 31
2022 230 10 0 36
2023 227 15 0 38
2024 242 1 0 36

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Meridian, MS.

Barnstable Town, MA

AQI 36 · 94.3% good

36

Bemidji, MN

AQI 36 · 84.2% good

36

Bennington, VT

AQI 36 · 91.0% good

36

Brookings, SD

AQI 36 · 79.8% good

36

Cadillac, MI

AQI 36 · 89.1% good

36

Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL

AQI 36 · 93.2% good

36

More Air Quality Data

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All Metro Areas

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Air Quality Guides

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Health Effects of Air Pollution

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the air quality in the Meridian, MS metro area? ▼
The Meridian, MS metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 36, rated "Good." 99.6% of monitored days (242 out of 243) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Meridian, MS have? ▼
In 2024, the Meridian, MS metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 51.
Is air quality in Meridian, MS getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Meridian, MS metro is stable based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2020 with 252 good days. Worst year: 2023 with 227 good days.
What does AQI 36 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 36 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 Meridian, MS? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Meridian, MS metro area is 45, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 51 (Moderate).
How does Meridian, MS compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Meridian, MS metro has 99.6% good air days. Similar metros: Barnstable Town, MA (94.3% good), Bemidji, MN (84.2% good), Bennington, VT (91.0% 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