Roanoke Rapids, NC

EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Metro area air quality from EPA Air Quality System (2024). 366 days monitored. Median AQI: 32 (Good).

Insights: Roanoke Rapids, NC metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 32 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 289 Good days (79%), 77 Moderate (21%), and 0 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (0%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 55 while the highest single-day reading hit 82 (Moderate). Metro residents averaged roughly 23.7 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -14 and the median AQI moved +3 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 Athens, TN (78.9% good, AQI 32); Clearlake, CA (99.5% good, AQI 32); Cookeville, TN (83.7% good, AQI 32).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

32

Good

Good Days

79.0%

289 of 366 days

Max AQI

82

Moderate

Health Grade

Good

90th pct: 55

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

289

79%

Moderate

77

21%

USG

0

0%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Good

The Roanoke Rapids, NC metro area's air quality is rated Good based on 79.0% 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.

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is worsening in the Roanoke Rapids, NC metro. Best year: 2020 (303 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 303 57 0 29
2021 270 93 0 34
2022 284 78 0 33
2023 256 108 0 37
2024 289 77 0 32

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Roanoke Rapids, NC.

Athens, TN

AQI 32 · 78.9% good

32

Clearlake, CA

AQI 32 · 99.5% good

32

Cookeville, TN

AQI 32 · 83.7% good

32

Crescent City, CA

AQI 32 · 80.3% good

32

Grand Island, NE

AQI 32 · 76.8% good

32

Sandpoint, ID

AQI 32 · 74.5% good

32

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FEMA disaster declarations. Wildfire, flood, and storm history affecting air quality. FEMA.gov →

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 Roanoke Rapids, NC metro area? ▼
The Roanoke Rapids, NC metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 32, rated "Good." 79.0% of monitored days (289 out of 366) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Roanoke Rapids, NC have? ▼
In 2024, the Roanoke Rapids, NC metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 82.
Is air quality in Roanoke Rapids, NC getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Roanoke Rapids, NC metro is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2020 with 303 good days. Worst year: 2023 with 256 good days.
What does AQI 32 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 32 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 Roanoke Rapids, NC? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Roanoke Rapids, NC metro area is 55, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 82 (Moderate).
How does Roanoke Rapids, NC compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Roanoke Rapids, NC metro has 79.0% good air days. Similar metros: Athens, TN (78.9% good), Clearlake, CA (99.5% good), Cookeville, TN (83.7% 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