Inyo, California Air Quality
Inyo County, California (CA)
↑ Worseningover 10 years
How Inyo, California Air Quality Compares
Inyo, California's median AQI of 61is 49% worse than the national average of 41. Air quality has worsened by 13 AQI points over the past decade. Residents experience an average of 33 unhealthy air days per year, above the national threshold for concern. The primary pollutant of concern is Ground-Level Ozone.
Inyo, California Air Quality: The Full Picture
Inyo, California (Inyo County) holds an AirHistory Air Quality Grade of F (very poor, scoring 30 out of 100), built from 10 years of EPA Air Quality System monitoring. Its median AQI rose 13 points between 2014 (48) and 2023 (61), and the five-year median now sits at 57 — inside the "Moderate" band on the EPA scale.
The pollutant driving most of the area's AQI readings is Ground-Level Ozone. In 2023, it set the daily AQI on 202 of 365 monitored days (55% of the year), making it the controlling pollutant for the F grade. The single worst reading logged that year hit an AQI of 786 (Hazardous), while the 90th-percentile day — the level the dirtiest 10% of days reach — came in at 90.
In 2023, Inyo County recorded 106 "Good" air days (29% of the 365 days with valid AQI data), 236 "Moderate" days, and 23 days at "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" or above. Over the most recent five years on record, monitors logged 163 days that crossed into "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" or worse — about 33 per year.
The decade-long trend is worsening: median AQI has been climbing by roughly 1.71 points per year. The cleanest year in the record was 2016 (median AQI 45), and the most polluted was 2021 (median AQI 61). Because the data come straight from federally certified EPA monitors, these figures track the California 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). Air quality in this area has been declining over the past 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 | 61 | 90 | 786 | 106 | 236 | 23 | Ozone |
| 2022 | 58 | 97 | 1551 | 117 | 217 | 31 | Ozone |
| 2021 | 61 | 115 | 558 | 100 | 223 | 42 | PM2.5 |
| 2020 | 57 | 130 | 705 | 158 | 153 | 55 | Ozone |
| 2019 | 47 | 84 | 653 | 226 | 127 | 12 | Ozone |
| 2018 | 49 | 101 | 638 | 192 | 136 | 37 | Ozone |
| 2017 | 49 | 87 | 2234 | 195 | 145 | 25 | Ozone |
| 2016 | 45 | 87 | 418 | 238 | 105 | 23 | Ozone |
| 2015 | 49 | 90 | 1482 | 191 | 153 | 21 | Ozone |
| 2014 | 48 | 84 | 957 | 222 | 128 | 15 | Ozone |
What This Means for Inyo County Residents
Inyo, California has received an Air Quality Grade of F (30/100) based on a decade of monitoring data from the EPA's air quality monitoring program. The current median AQI of 61 falls in the "Moderate" range.
Concerning trends show air quality has been declining, with the median AQI rising by 13 points over the monitoring period. This could be driven by increased development, wildfire smoke, or industrial activity.
The primary pollutant affecting this area is Ground-Level Ozone. Over the past 5 years, this area has averaged 33 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
Inyo, California has a current median AQI of 61, which falls in the "Moderate" range. The area has received an Air Quality Grade of F (30/100) based on 10 years of EPA monitoring data.
Air quality in Inyo, California is worsening over the past decade. The median AQI has changed by +13 points from 2014 to 2023.
Inyo, California averages 33 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 Inyo, California is Ground-Level Ozone. This is the dominant contributor to elevated AQI readings in the Inyo County area.
Inyo, California averages 33 unhealthy air days per year. With frequent unhealthy air days, asthma patients should use a HEPA air purifier indoors and check AQI before any outdoor activity. The primary pollutant is Ground-Level Ozone, which is a known asthma trigger.
With a median AQI of 61 (Moderate), outdoor exercise in Inyo, California is safe most days, though sensitive individuals should check daily AQI before intense workouts. Inyo, California averages 33 days per year when athletes should move workouts indoors.