Metro area air quality · 2024

Sioux Falls, SD

Median AQI 34 (Good). 81.4% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

34
Median AQI
81.4%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
69%
Cleaner than US metros

Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 365 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Insights: Sioux Falls, SD metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 34 over 365 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Good metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 297 Good days (81%), 66 Moderate (18%), and 2 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (1%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 57 while the highest single-day reading hit 145 (USG). Metro residents averaged roughly 24.4 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -1 and the median AQI moved -4 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as stable. 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 Clarksburg, WV (80.5% good, AQI 34); Kinston, NC (95.8% good, AQI 34); New Castle, IN (78.1% good, AQI 34).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

34

Good

Good Days

81.4%

297 of 365 days

Max AQI

145

USG

Health Grade

Good

90th pct: 57

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 365 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

297

81%

Moderate

66

18%

USG

2

1%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Good

The Sioux Falls, SD metro area's air quality is rated Good based on 81.4% 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 Sioux Falls, SD metro compare?

How Sioux Falls, SD compares

Good-day share better than US avg
Sioux Falls, SD 81.4%
Clarksburg, WV 80.5%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI better than US avg
Sioux Falls, SD 34
Clarksburg, WV 34
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Sioux Falls, SD 0
Clarksburg, WV 0
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is stable in the Sioux Falls, SD metro. Best year: 2022 (300 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 298 68 0 38
2021 266 78 2 39
2022 300 64 0 39
2023 235 103 4 44
2024 297 66 0 34

Metros with Similar Air Quality

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

Clarksburg, WV

AQI 34 · 80.5% good

34

Kinston, NC

AQI 34 · 95.8% good

34

New Castle, IN

AQI 34 · 78.1% good

34

St. Marys, PA

AQI 34 · 95.8% good

34

Arkadelphia, AR

AQI 35 · 93.3% good

35

Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ

AQI 35 · 82.5% good

35

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

How PM2.5 and ozone exposure affects respiratory and cardiovascular health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the air quality in the Sioux Falls, SD metro area? ▼
The Sioux Falls, SD metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 34, rated "Good." 81.4% of monitored days (297 out of 365) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Sioux Falls, SD have? ▼
In 2024, the Sioux Falls, SD metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 145.
Is air quality in Sioux Falls, SD getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Sioux Falls, SD metro is stable based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2022 with 300 good days. Worst year: 2023 with 235 good days.
What does AQI 34 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 34 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 Sioux Falls, SD? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Sioux Falls, SD metro area is 57, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 145 (USG).
How does Sioux Falls, SD compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Sioux Falls, SD metro has 81.4% good air days. Similar metros: Clarksburg, WV (80.5% good), Kinston, NC (95.8% good), New Castle, IN (78.1% 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