Carbon, Wyoming Air Quality
Carbon County, Wyoming (WY)
↓ Improvingover 10 years
How Carbon, Wyoming Air Quality Compares
Carbon, Wyoming's median AQI of 8is 80% better than the national average of 41. Air quality has improved by 34 AQI points over the past decade. The area rarely experiences unhealthy air quality days. The primary pollutant of concern is Ground-Level Ozone.
Carbon, Wyoming Air Quality: The Full Picture
Carbon, Wyoming (Carbon County) holds an AirHistory Air Quality Grade of A (excellent, scoring 92 out of 100), built from 10 years of EPA Air Quality System monitoring. Its median AQI fell 34 points between 2014 (42) and 2023 (8), and the five-year median now sits at 16 — inside the "Good" band on the EPA scale.
The pollutant driving most of the area's AQI readings is Ground-Level Ozone. In 2023, the single worst reading hit an AQI of 33 (Good), while the 90th-percentile day — the level the dirtiest 10% of days reach — came in at 20.
In 2023, Carbon County recorded 362 "Good" air days (100% of the 362 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 1 days that crossed into "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" or worse — about 0 per year.
The decade-long trend is improving: median AQI has been dropping by roughly 4.85 points per year. The cleanest year in the record was 2020 (median AQI 8), and the most polluted was 2017 (median AQI 43). Because the data come straight from federally certified EPA monitors, these figures track the Wyoming 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 | 8 | 20 | 33 | 362 | 0 | 0 | NO2 |
| 2022 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 361 | 0 | 0 | NO2 |
| 2021 | 10 | 20 | 37 | 348 | 0 | 0 | NO2 |
| 2020 | 8 | 21 | 31 | 304 | 0 | 0 | NO2 |
| 2019 | 43 | 51 | 112 | 325 | 38 | 1 | Ozone |
| 2018 | 42 | 61 | 90 | 292 | 73 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2017 | 43 | 54 | 80 | 311 | 54 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2016 | 42 | 50 | 84 | 335 | 31 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2015 | 42 | 51 | 105 | 326 | 38 | 1 | Ozone |
| 2014 | 42 | 51 | 80 | 327 | 38 | 0 | Ozone |
What This Means for Carbon County Residents
Carbon, Wyoming has received an Air Quality Grade of A (92/100) based on a decade of monitoring data from the EPA's air quality monitoring program. The current median AQI of 8 falls in the "Good" range.
Encouragingly, air quality here has been improving, with the median AQI dropping by 34 points over the monitoring period. This trend suggests continued investment in emission controls and cleaner energy.
The primary pollutant affecting this area is Ground-Level Ozone. 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
Carbon, Wyoming has a current median AQI of 8, which falls in the "Good" range. The area has received an Air Quality Grade of A (92/100) based on 10 years of EPA monitoring data.
Air quality in Carbon, Wyoming is improving over the past decade. The median AQI has changed by -34 points from 2014 to 2023.
Carbon, Wyoming 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 Carbon, Wyoming is Ground-Level Ozone. This is the dominant contributor to elevated AQI readings in the Carbon County area.
Carbon, Wyoming averages 0 unhealthy air days per year. This is relatively low, making it a reasonable choice for asthma sufferers. The primary pollutant is Ground-Level Ozone, which is a known asthma trigger.
With a median AQI of 8 (Good), outdoor exercise in Carbon, Wyoming is generally safe year-round. Carbon, Wyoming averages 0 days per year when athletes should move workouts indoors.