Metro area air quality · 2024

Pierre, SD

Median AQI 8 (Good). 93.7% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

8
Median AQI
93.7%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
92%
Cleaner than US metros

Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 363 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Insights: Pierre, SD metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 8 over 363 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Excellent metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 340 Good days (94%), 23 Moderate (6%), and 0 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 34 while the highest single-day reading hit 69 (Moderate). Metro residents averaged roughly 28.1 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by +8 and the median AQI moved -11 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 Evanston, WY (100.0% good, AQI 7); Mayaguez, PR (100.0% good, AQI 11); Houghton, MI (98.3% good, AQI 12).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

8

Good

Good Days

93.7%

340 of 363 days

Max AQI

69

Moderate

Health Grade

Excellent

90th pct: 34

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 363 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

340

94%

Moderate

23

6%

USG

0

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Excellent

The Pierre, SD metro area's air quality is rated Excellent based on 93.7% 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 Pierre, SD metro compare?

How Pierre, SD compares

Good-day share better than US avg
Pierre, SD 93.7%
Evanston, WY 100.0%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI better than US avg
Pierre, SD 8
Evanston, WY 7
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Pierre, SD 0
Evanston, WY 0
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is improving in the Pierre, SD metro. Best year: 2022 (352 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 332 23 0 19
2021 325 22 0 12
2022 352 10 0 7
2023 321 30 4 14
2024 340 23 0 8

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Pierre, SD.

Evanston, WY

AQI 7 · 100.0% good

7

Mayaguez, PR

AQI 11 · 100.0% good

11

Houghton, MI

AQI 12 · 98.3% good

12

Salem, OH

AQI 12 · 100.0% good

12

Steamboat Springs, CO

AQI 12 · 99.7% good

12

Ca¤on City, CO

AQI 13 · 97.8% good

13

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the air quality in the Pierre, SD metro area? ▼
The Pierre, SD metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 8, rated "Good." 93.7% of monitored days (340 out of 363) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Pierre, SD have? ▼
In 2024, the Pierre, SD metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 69.
Is air quality in Pierre, SD getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Pierre, SD metro is improving based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2022 with 352 good days. Worst year: 2023 with 321 good days.
What does AQI 8 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 8 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 Pierre, SD? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Pierre, SD metro area is 34, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 69 (Moderate).
How does Pierre, SD compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Pierre, SD metro has 93.7% good air days. Similar metros: Evanston, WY (100.0% good), Mayaguez, PR (100.0% good), Houghton, MI (98.3% 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