Alexandria City, Virginia Air Quality
Alexandria City County, Virginia (VA)
↓ Improvingover 7 years
How Alexandria City, Virginia Air Quality Compares
Alexandria City, Virginia's median AQI of 6is 85% better than the national average of 41. Air quality has improved by 13 AQI points over the past decade. The area rarely experiences unhealthy air quality days. The primary pollutant of concern is Coarse Particulate Matter (PM10).
Alexandria City, Virginia Air Quality: The Full Picture
Alexandria City, Virginia (Alexandria City County) holds an AirHistory Air Quality Grade of A (excellent, scoring 96 out of 100), built from 7 years of EPA Air Quality System monitoring. Its median AQI fell 13 points between 2014 (19) and 2021 (6), and the five-year median now sits at 6 — inside the "Good" band on the EPA scale.
The pollutant driving most of the area's AQI readings is Coarse Particulate Matter (PM10). In 2021, it set the daily AQI on 15 of 15 monitored days (100% of the year), making it the controlling pollutant for the A grade. The single worst reading logged that year hit an AQI of 9 (Good), while the 90th-percentile day — the level the dirtiest 10% of days reach — came in at 7.
In 2021, Alexandria City County recorded 15 "Good" air days (100% of the 15 days with valid AQI data), 0 "Moderate" days, and 0 days at "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" or above. Over the most recent five years on record, monitors logged no days that crossed into "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" or worse.
The decade-long trend is improving: median AQI has been dropping by roughly 2.47 points per year. The cleanest year in the record was 2019 (median AQI 5), and the most polluted was 2015 (median AQI 23). Because the data come straight from federally certified EPA monitors, these figures track the Virginia county the monitors physically sit in rather than a city boundary.
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10-Year AQI Trend
The solid line shows the median AQI each year. The dashed line shows the 90th percentile (worst 10% of days). This area has seen measurable air quality improvement over the decade.
Air Quality Day Breakdown
Number of days per year in each EPA AQI category. Green = Good (AQI 0-50), Yellow = Moderate (51-100), Orange = Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150), Red = Unhealthy or worse (151+).
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Median AQI | 90th Pct | Max AQI | Good Days | Moderate | Unhealthy+ | Pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 15 | 0 | 0 | PM10 |
| 2019 | 5 | 8 | 16 | 109 | 0 | 0 | PM10 |
| 2018 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 78 | 0 | 0 | PM10 |
| 2017 | 7 | 13 | 19 | 105 | 0 | 0 | PM10 |
| 2016 | 12 | 38 | 103 | 174 | 5 | 1 | PM10 |
| 2015 | 23 | 40 | 67 | 337 | 8 | 0 | NO2 |
| 2014 | 19 | 36 | 70 | 360 | 5 | 0 | NO2 |
What This Means for Alexandria City County Residents
Alexandria City, Virginia has received an Air Quality Grade of A (96/100) based on a decade of monitoring data from the EPA's air quality monitoring program. The current median AQI of 6 falls in the "Good" range.
Encouragingly, air quality here has been improving, with the median AQI dropping by 13 points over the monitoring period. This trend suggests continued investment in emission controls and cleaner energy.
The primary pollutant affecting this area is Coarse Particulate Matter (PM10). Over the past 5 years, this area has averaged 0 unhealthy air quality days per year, days when sensitive groups (children, elderly, those with respiratory conditions) should limit outdoor activity. The American Lung Association's State of the Air report provides additional context on long-term health risks from air pollution exposure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Alexandria City, Virginia has a current median AQI of 6, which falls in the "Good" range. The area has received an Air Quality Grade of A (96/100) based on 10 years of EPA monitoring data.
Air quality in Alexandria City, Virginia is improving over the past decade. The median AQI has changed by -13 points from 2014 to 2021.
Alexandria City, Virginia averages 0 unhealthy air quality days per year over the past 5 years. On these days, sensitive groups including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions should limit outdoor activity.
The primary pollutant affecting Alexandria City, Virginia is Coarse Particulate Matter (PM10). This is the dominant contributor to elevated AQI readings in the Alexandria City County area.
Alexandria City, Virginia averages 0 unhealthy air days per year. This is relatively low, making it a reasonable choice for asthma sufferers. The primary pollutant is Coarse Particulate Matter (PM10), which can affect respiratory health.
With a median AQI of 6 (Good), outdoor exercise in Alexandria City, Virginia is generally safe year-round. Alexandria City, Virginia averages 0 days per year when athletes should move workouts indoors.