Metro area air quality · 2024
Visalia-Porterville, CA
Median AQI 71 (Moderate). 20.8% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.
- 71
- Median AQI
- 20.8%
- Good-air days
- 28
- Unhealthy days
- 1%
- Cleaner than US metros
Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 366 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →
Insights: Visalia-Porterville, CA metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 71 over 366 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Moderate band and a Very Poor metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 76 Good days (21%), 179 Moderate (49%), and 83 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (23%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 147 while the highest single-day reading hit 185 (Unhealthy). Metro residents averaged roughly 6.2 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.
Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by +24 and the median AQI moved -9 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as improving. The metro recorded 28 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 San Diego-Carlsbad, CA (12.8% good, AQI 71); Bakersfield, CA (20.8% good, AQI 72); El Paso, TX (22.1% good, AQI 67).
Air Quality Summary
Median AQI
71
Moderate
Good Days
20.8%
76 of 366 days
Max AQI
185
Unhealthy
Health Grade
Very Poor
90th pct: 147
AQI Day Breakdown (2024)
Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.
Good
76
21%
Moderate
179
49%
USG
83
23%
Unhealthy
28
8%
Very Unhealthy
0
0%
Hazardous
0
0%
Health Impact Assessment
The Visalia-Porterville, CA metro area's air quality is rated Very Poor based on 20.8% good air days. There were 28 unhealthy days in 2024 when outdoor activity should be limited.
While median air quality is acceptable, peak events reached unhealthy levels on 28 days in 2024. Sensitive groups should be aware of episodic risk and monitor AirNow.gov during high-pollution periods.
How does the Visalia-Porterville, CA metro compare?
How Visalia-Porterville, CA compares
5-Year Air Quality Trend
Air quality is improving in the Visalia-Porterville, CA metro. Best year: 2023 (94 good days).
| Year | Good | Moderate | Unhealthy | Median AQI | Max AQI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 52 | 179 | 30 | 80 | 225 |
| 2021 | 49 | 182 | 38 | 81 | 961 |
| 2022 | 58 | 193 | 8 | 77 | 182 |
| 2023 | 94 | 189 | 19 | 69 | 242 |
| 2024 | 76 | 179 | 28 | 71 | 185 |
Metros with Similar Air Quality
Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Visalia-Porterville, CA.
More Air Quality Data
Explore EPA air quality rankings and guides across U.S. metros and counties.
Cleanest Metro Areas
U.S. metros ranked by their share of Good air-quality days.
Worst Air Quality
Counties and metros with the most unhealthy air days.
All Metro Areas
Annual AQI by CBSA for every monitored U.S. metro area.
Best and Worst City Air
What drives urban air quality and how metro areas compare.
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 Visalia-Porterville, CA metro area? ▼
How many unhealthy air days does Visalia-Porterville, CA have? ▼
Is air quality in Visalia-Porterville, CA getting better or worse? ▼
What does AQI 71 mean for health? ▼
What is the 90th percentile AQI for Visalia-Porterville, CA? ▼
How does Visalia-Porterville, CA compare to other metro areas? ▼
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