Metro area air quality · 2024

Prescott, AZ

Median AQI 47 (Good). 61.5% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

47
Median AQI
61.5%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
29%
Cleaner than US metros

Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 366 monitored days. EPA AQS →

Insights: Prescott, AZ metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 47 over 366 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Moderate metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 225 Good days (61%), 139 Moderate (38%), and 2 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (1%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 80 while the highest single-day reading hit 115 (USG). Metro residents averaged roughly 18.4 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -40 and the median AQI moved +2 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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD (58.7% good, AQI 47); Bartlesville, OK (57.2% good, AQI 47); Columbia, SC (57.4% good, AQI 47).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

47

Good

Good Days

61.5%

225 of 366 days

Max AQI

115

USG

Health Grade

Moderate

90th pct: 80

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

225

61%

Moderate

139

38%

USG

2

1%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Moderate

The Prescott, AZ metro area's air quality is rated Moderate based on 61.5% 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 Prescott, AZ metro compare?

How Prescott, AZ compares

Good-day share worse than US avg
Prescott, AZ 61.5%
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 58.7%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI worse than US avg
Prescott, AZ 47
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 47
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Prescott, AZ 0
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 1
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is worsening in the Prescott, AZ metro. Best year: 2022 (341 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 265 65 0 45
2021 302 29 0 44
2022 341 24 0 40
2023 298 66 0 43
2024 225 139 0 47

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Prescott, AZ.

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

AQI 47 · 58.7% good

47

Bartlesville, OK

AQI 47 · 57.2% good

47

Columbia, SC

AQI 47 · 57.4% good

47

Dayton, OH

AQI 47 · 59.6% good

47

Florence, SC

AQI 47 · 61.4% good

47

Fort Wayne, IN

AQI 47 · 59.3% good

47

More Air Quality Data

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Worst Air Quality

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All Metro Areas

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Best and Worst City Air

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Air Quality Guides

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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 Prescott, AZ metro area? ▼
The Prescott, AZ metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 47, rated "Good." 61.5% of monitored days (225 out of 366) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Prescott, AZ have? ▼
In 2024, the Prescott, AZ metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 115.
Is air quality in Prescott, AZ getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Prescott, AZ metro is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2022 with 341 good days. Worst year: 2024 with 225 good days.
What does AQI 47 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 47 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 Prescott, AZ? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Prescott, AZ metro area is 80, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 115 (USG).
How does Prescott, AZ compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Prescott, AZ metro has 61.5% good air days. Similar metros: Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD (58.7% good), Bartlesville, OK (57.2% good), Columbia, SC (57.4% 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 Air Quality System (AQS) Annual AQI by CBSA summary files (metro-level) · 2020–2024