Metro area air quality · 2024

Spartanburg, SC

Median AQI 49 (Good). 51.8% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

49
Median AQI
51.8%
Good-air days
0
Unhealthy days
16%
Cleaner than US metros

Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 363 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Insights: Spartanburg, SC metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 49 over 363 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Good band and a Moderate metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 188 Good days (52%), 171 Moderate (47%), and 4 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (1%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 71 while the highest single-day reading hit 112 (USG). Metro residents averaged roughly 15.5 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -44 and the median AQI moved +4 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 Boulder, CO (57.9% good, AQI 49); Carlsbad-Artesia, NM (51.4% good, AQI 49); Colorado Springs, CO (55.2% good, AQI 49).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

49

Good

Good Days

51.8%

188 of 363 days

Max AQI

112

USG

Health Grade

Moderate

90th pct: 71

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 363 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

188

52%

Moderate

171

47%

USG

4

1%

Unhealthy

0

0%

Very Unhealthy

0

0%

Hazardous

0

0%

Health Impact Assessment

Moderate

The Spartanburg, SC metro area's air quality is rated Moderate based on 51.8% 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 Spartanburg, SC metro compare?

How Spartanburg, SC compares

Good-day share worse than US avg
Spartanburg, SC 51.8%
Boulder, CO 57.9%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI worse than US avg
Spartanburg, SC 49
Boulder, CO 49
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr better than US avg
Spartanburg, SC 0
Boulder, CO 1
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is worsening in the Spartanburg, SC metro. Best year: 2020 (232 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 232 132 0 45
2021 201 152 0 46
2022 206 157 0 47
2023 166 194 0 51
2024 188 171 0 49

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Spartanburg, SC.

Boulder, CO

AQI 49 · 57.9% good

49

Carlsbad-Artesia, NM

AQI 49 · 51.4% good

49

Colorado Springs, CO

AQI 49 · 55.2% good

49

Columbus, GA-AL

AQI 49 · 52.5% good

49

El Dorado, AR

AQI 49 · 51.2% good

49

Glenwood Springs, CO

AQI 49 · 57.9% good

49

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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 Spartanburg, SC metro area? ▼
The Spartanburg, SC metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 49, rated "Good." 51.8% of monitored days (188 out of 363) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Spartanburg, SC have? ▼
In 2024, the Spartanburg, SC metro area recorded 0 unhealthy air days (0 Unhealthy, 0 Very Unhealthy, 0 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 112.
Is air quality in Spartanburg, SC getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Spartanburg, SC metro is worsening based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2020 with 232 good days. Worst year: 2023 with 166 good days.
What does AQI 49 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 49 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 Spartanburg, SC? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Spartanburg, SC metro area is 71, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 112 (USG).
How does Spartanburg, SC compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Spartanburg, SC metro has 51.8% good air days. Similar metros: Boulder, CO (57.9% good), Carlsbad-Artesia, NM (51.4% good), Colorado Springs, CO (55.2% 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