Metro area air quality · 2024

Ponce, PR

Median AQI 3 (Good). 94.3% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

3
Median AQI
94.3%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
93%
Cleaner than US metros

Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 336 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Insights: Ponce, PR metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 3 over 336 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Excellent metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 317 Good days (94%), 19 Moderate (6%), and 0 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 38 while the highest single-day reading hit 82 (Moderate). Metro residents averaged roughly 28.3 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -2 and the median AQI moved -20 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); Pierre, SD (93.7% good, AQI 8); Mayaguez, PR (100.0% good, AQI 11).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

3

Good

Good Days

94.3%

317 of 336 days

Max AQI

82

Moderate

Health Grade

Excellent

90th pct: 38

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 336 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

317

94%

Moderate

19

6%

USG

0

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Excellent

The Ponce, PR metro area's air quality is rated Excellent based on 94.3% 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 Ponce, PR metro compare?

How Ponce, PR compares

Good-day share better than US avg
Ponce, PR 94.3%
Evanston, WY 100.0%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI better than US avg
Ponce, PR 3
Evanston, WY 7
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Ponce, PR 0
Evanston, WY 0
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is improving in the Ponce, PR metro. Best year: 2020 (319 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 319 41 0 23
2021 176 37 1 30
2022 264 31 0 18
2023 258 82 0 30
2024 317 19 0 3

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Ponce, PR.

Evanston, WY

AQI 7 · 100.0% good

7

Pierre, SD

AQI 8 · 93.7% good

8

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

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 Ponce, PR metro area? ▼
The Ponce, PR metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 3, rated "Good." 94.3% of monitored days (317 out of 336) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Ponce, PR have? ▼
In 2024, the Ponce, PR metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 82.
Is air quality in Ponce, PR getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Ponce, PR metro is improving based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2020 with 319 good days. Worst year: 2021 with 176 good days.
What does AQI 3 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 3 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 Ponce, PR? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Ponce, PR metro area is 38, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 82 (Moderate).
How does Ponce, PR compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Ponce, PR metro has 94.3% good air days. Similar metros: Evanston, WY (100.0% good), Pierre, SD (93.7% good), Mayaguez, PR (100.0% 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