Houston, Alabama Air Quality
Houston County, Alabama (AL)
↓ Improvingover 6 years
How Houston, Alabama Air Quality Compares
Houston, Alabama's median AQI of 38is 7% better than the national average of 41. The area rarely experiences unhealthy air quality days. The primary pollutant of concern is Ground-Level Ozone.
Houston, Alabama Air Quality: The Full Picture
Houston, Alabama (Houston County) holds an AirHistory Air Quality Grade of B (good, scoring 70 out of 100), built from 6 years of EPA Air Quality System monitoring. Its median AQI fell 3 points between 2014 (41) and 2019 (38), and the five-year median now sits at 38 — inside the "Good" band on the EPA scale.
The pollutant driving most of the area's AQI readings is Ground-Level Ozone. In 2019, it set the daily AQI on 181 of 280 monitored days (65% of the year), making it the controlling pollutant for the B grade. The single worst reading logged that year hit an AQI of 77 (Moderate), while the 90th-percentile day — the level the dirtiest 10% of days reach — came in at 55.
In 2019, Houston County recorded 230 "Good" air days (82% of the 280 days with valid AQI data), 50 "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 0.34 points per year. The cleanest year in the record was 2015 (median AQI 36), and the most polluted was 2014 (median AQI 41). Because the data come straight from federally certified EPA monitors, these figures track the Alabama 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 38 | 55 | 77 | 230 | 50 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2018 | 37 | 54 | 80 | 230 | 47 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2017 | 37 | 54 | 131 | 237 | 43 | 1 | Ozone |
| 2016 | 37 | 52 | 97 | 242 | 38 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2015 | 36 | 54 | 74 | 241 | 42 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2014 | 41 | 57 | 80 | 227 | 52 | 0 | Ozone |
What This Means for Houston County Residents
Houston, Alabama has received an Air Quality Grade of B (70/100) based on a decade of monitoring data from the EPA's air quality monitoring program. The current median AQI of 38 falls in the "Good" range.
Encouragingly, air quality here has been improving, with the median AQI dropping by 3 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.
Related Cities in Alabama
Frequently Asked Questions
Houston, Alabama has a current median AQI of 38, which falls in the "Good" range. The area has received an Air Quality Grade of B (70/100) based on 10 years of EPA monitoring data.
Air quality in Houston, Alabama is improving over the past decade. The median AQI has changed by -3 points from 2014 to 2019.
Houston, Alabama 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 Houston, Alabama is Ground-Level Ozone. This is the dominant contributor to elevated AQI readings in the Houston County area.
Houston, Alabama 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 38 (Good), outdoor exercise in Houston, Alabama is generally safe year-round. Houston, Alabama averages 0 days per year when athletes should move workouts indoors.