Buncombe, North Carolina Air Quality
Buncombe County, North Carolina (NC)
↓ Improvingover 10 years
How Buncombe, North Carolina Air Quality Compares
Buncombe, North Carolina's median AQI of 43is 5% worse than the national average of 41. The area rarely experiences unhealthy air quality days. The primary pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).
Buncombe, North Carolina Air Quality: The Full Picture
Buncombe, North Carolina (Buncombe County) holds an AirHistory Air Quality Grade of B (good, scoring 69 out of 100), built from 10 years of EPA Air Quality System monitoring. Its median AQI fell 2 points between 2014 (45) and 2023 (43), and the five-year median now sits at 40 — inside the "Good" band on the EPA scale.
The pollutant driving most of the area's AQI readings is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5). In 2023, it set the daily AQI on 232 of 365 monitored days (64% of the year), making it the controlling pollutant for the B grade. The single worst reading logged that year hit an AQI of 99 (Moderate), while the 90th-percentile day — the level the dirtiest 10% of days reach — came in at 60.
In 2023, Buncombe County recorded 261 "Good" air days (72% of the 365 days with valid AQI data), 104 "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 0.45 points per year. The cleanest year in the record was 2020 (median AQI 34), and the most polluted was 2014 (median AQI 45). Because the data come straight from federally certified EPA monitors, these figures track the North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 43 | 60 | 99 | 261 | 104 | 0 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 38 | 54 | 74 | 291 | 74 | 0 | PM2.5 |
| 2021 | 41 | 57 | 81 | 278 | 87 | 0 | PM2.5 |
| 2020 | 34 | 50 | 97 | 329 | 34 | 0 | PM2.5 |
| 2019 | 42 | 55 | 84 | 277 | 88 | 0 | PM2.5 |
| 2018 | 40 | 58 | 93 | 261 | 103 | 0 | PM2.5 |
| 2017 | 43 | 56 | 84 | 254 | 111 | 0 | PM2.5 |
| 2016 | 43 | 60 | 173 | 247 | 111 | 8 | PM2.5 |
| 2015 | 41 | 58 | 87 | 256 | 107 | 0 | PM2.5 |
| 2014 | 45 | 60 | 93 | 226 | 138 | 0 | PM2.5 |
What This Means for Buncombe County Residents
Buncombe, North Carolina has received an Air Quality Grade of B (69/100) based on a decade of monitoring data from the EPA's air quality monitoring program. The current median AQI of 43 falls in the "Good" range.
Encouragingly, air quality here has been improving, with the median AQI dropping by 2 points over the monitoring period. This trend suggests continued investment in emission controls and cleaner energy.
The primary pollutant affecting this area is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5). 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
Buncombe, North Carolina has a current median AQI of 43, which falls in the "Good" range. The area has received an Air Quality Grade of B (69/100) based on 10 years of EPA monitoring data.
Air quality in Buncombe, North Carolina is improving over the past decade. The median AQI has changed by -2 points from 2014 to 2023.
Buncombe, North Carolina 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 Buncombe, North Carolina is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5). This is the dominant contributor to elevated AQI readings in the Buncombe County area.
Buncombe, North Carolina averages 0 unhealthy air days per year. This is relatively low, making it a reasonable choice for asthma sufferers. The primary pollutant is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5), which is a known asthma trigger.
With a median AQI of 43 (Good), outdoor exercise in Buncombe, North Carolina is generally safe year-round. Buncombe, North Carolina averages 0 days per year when athletes should move workouts indoors.