Prineville, OR

EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Metro area air quality from EPA Air Quality System (2024). 366 days monitored. Median AQI: 24 (Good).

Insights: Prineville, OR metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 24 over 366 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Good metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 282 Good days (77%), 76 Moderate (21%), and 5 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (1%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 64 while the highest single-day reading hit 173 (Unhealthy). Metro residents averaged roughly 23.1 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by +21 and the median AQI moved -4 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as improving. The metro recorded 3 unhealthy-or-worse days combined — on those days the EPA recommends that sensitive groups limit prolonged outdoor exertion, and many schools and athletic programs adjust outdoor activity accordingly. Metros with comparable AQI profiles include Aberdeen, SD (85.7% good, AQI 24); Coeur d'Alene, ID (82.0% good, AQI 24); Juneau, AK (85.4% good, AQI 24).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

24

Good

Good Days

77.0%

282 of 366 days

Max AQI

173

Unhealthy

Health Grade

Good

90th pct: 64

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

282

77%

Moderate

76

21%

USG

5

1%

Unhealthy

3

1%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Good

The Prineville, OR metro area's air quality is rated Good based on 77.0% good air days. There were 3 unhealthy days in 2024 when outdoor activity should be limited.

Air quality is acceptable most days, but 5 days reached "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" and peak AQI reached 173. Sensitive groups should monitor real-time conditions at AirNow.gov.

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is improving in the Prineville, OR metro. Best year: 2022 (288 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 261 97 1 28
2021 281 75 3 28
2022 288 69 0 24
2023 267 86 6 33
2024 282 76 3 24

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Prineville, OR.

Aberdeen, SD

AQI 24 · 85.7% good

24

Coeur d'Alene, ID

AQI 24 · 82.0% good

24

Juneau, AK

AQI 24 · 85.4% good

24

New Castle, PA

AQI 24 · 100.0% good

24

Albany, OR

AQI 25 · 87.4% good

25

Elko, NV

AQI 23 · 87.1% good

23

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Air Quality Guides

Learn more about air quality monitoring, pollutants, and health impacts.

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 Prineville, OR metro area? ▼
The Prineville, OR metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 24, rated "Good." 77.0% of monitored days (282 out of 366) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Prineville, OR have? ▼
In 2024, the Prineville, OR metro area recorded 3 unhealthy air days (3 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 173.
Is air quality in Prineville, OR getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Prineville, OR metro is improving based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2022 with 288 good days. Worst year: 2020 with 261 good days.
What does AQI 24 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 24 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 Prineville, OR? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Prineville, OR metro area is 64, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 173 (Unhealthy).
How does Prineville, OR compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Prineville, OR metro has 77.0% good air days. Similar metros: Aberdeen, SD (85.7% good), Coeur d'Alene, ID (82.0% good), Juneau, AK (85.4% 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 — AirNow / AQS Air Quality Index readings and pollutant concentrations · 2025