Mille Lacs, Minnesota Air Quality
Mille Lacs County, Minnesota (MN)
↑ Worseningover 10 years
How Mille Lacs, Minnesota Air Quality Compares
Mille Lacs, Minnesota's median AQI of 40is 2% better than the national average of 41. Air quality has worsened by 9 AQI points over the past decade. The area averages 1 unhealthy air days per year. The primary pollutant of concern is Ground-Level Ozone.
Mille Lacs, Minnesota Air Quality: The Full Picture
Mille Lacs, Minnesota (Mille Lacs County) holds an AirHistory Air Quality Grade of C (fair, scoring 62 out of 100), built from 10 years of EPA Air Quality System monitoring. Its median AQI rose 9 points between 2014 (31) and 2023 (40), and the five-year median now sits at 35 — inside the "Good" 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 237 of 237 monitored days (100% of the year), making it the controlling pollutant for the C grade. The single worst reading logged that year hit an AQI of 136 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), while the 90th-percentile day — the level the dirtiest 10% of days reach — came in at 51.
In 2023, Mille Lacs County recorded 213 "Good" air days (90% of the 237 days with valid AQI data), 19 "Moderate" days, and 5 days at "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" or above. Over the most recent five years on record, monitors logged 5 days that crossed into "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" or worse — about 1 per year.
The decade-long trend is worsening: median AQI has been climbing by roughly 0.77 points per year. The cleanest year in the record was 2016 (median AQI 30), and the most polluted was 2023 (median AQI 40). Because the data come straight from federally certified EPA monitors, these figures track the Minnesota 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 | 40 | 51 | 136 | 213 | 19 | 5 | Ozone |
| 2022 | 35 | 43 | 48 | 151 | 0 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2021 | 36 | 47 | 71 | 232 | 13 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2020 | 33 | 44 | 87 | 240 | 5 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2019 | 32 | 44 | 90 | 239 | 8 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2018 | 30 | 49 | 74 | 114 | 12 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2017 | 33 | 46 | 93 | 231 | 9 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2016 | 30 | 41 | 77 | 204 | 7 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2015 | 33 | 46 | 87 | 214 | 9 | 0 | Ozone |
| 2014 | 31 | 44 | 77 | 215 | 5 | 0 | Ozone |
What This Means for Mille Lacs County Residents
Mille Lacs, Minnesota has received an Air Quality Grade of C (62/100) based on a decade of monitoring data from the EPA's air quality monitoring program. The current median AQI of 40 falls in the "Good" range.
Concerning trends show air quality has been declining, with the median AQI rising by 9 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 1 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
Mille Lacs, Minnesota has a current median AQI of 40, which falls in the "Good" range. The area has received an Air Quality Grade of C (62/100) based on 10 years of EPA monitoring data.
Air quality in Mille Lacs, Minnesota is worsening over the past decade. The median AQI has changed by +9 points from 2014 to 2023.
Mille Lacs, Minnesota averages 1 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 Mille Lacs, Minnesota is Ground-Level Ozone. This is the dominant contributor to elevated AQI readings in the Mille Lacs County area.
Mille Lacs, Minnesota averages 1 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 40 (Good), outdoor exercise in Mille Lacs, Minnesota is generally safe year-round. Mille Lacs, Minnesota averages 1 days per year when athletes should move workouts indoors.