Placer, California Air Quality
Placer County, California (CA)
↑ Worseningover 10 years
How Placer, California Air Quality Compares
Placer, California's median AQI of 52is 27% worse than the national average of 41. Air quality has improved by 5 AQI points over the past decade. Residents experience an average of 26 unhealthy air days per year, above the national threshold for concern. The primary pollutant of concern is Ground-Level Ozone.
Placer, California Air Quality: The Full Picture
Placer, California (Placer County) holds an AirHistory Air Quality Grade of D (poor, scoring 45 out of 100), built from 10 years of EPA Air Quality System monitoring. Its median AQI fell 5 points between 2014 (57) and 2023 (52), and the five-year median now sits at 54 — 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 245 of 365 monitored days (67% of the year), making it the controlling pollutant for the D grade. The single worst reading logged that year hit an AQI of 143 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), while the 90th-percentile day — the level the dirtiest 10% of days reach — came in at 80.
In 2023, Placer County recorded 164 "Good" air days (45% of the 365 days with valid AQI data), 193 "Moderate" days, and 8 days at "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" or above. Over the most recent five years on record, monitors logged 130 days that crossed into "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" or worse — about 26 per year.
The decade-long trend is worsening: median AQI has been climbing by roughly 0.32 points per year. The cleanest year in the record was 2017 (median AQI 46), and the most polluted was 2021 (median AQI 58). 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 | 52 | 80 | 143 | 164 | 193 | 8 | Ozone |
| 2022 | 54 | 90 | 442 | 156 | 185 | 24 | Ozone |
| 2021 | 58 | 115 | 692 | 130 | 187 | 48 | Ozone |
| 2020 | 57 | 108 | 247 | 130 | 195 | 41 | Ozone |
| 2019 | 49 | 77 | 136 | 198 | 158 | 9 | Ozone |
| 2018 | 46 | 84 | 248 | 213 | 127 | 25 | Ozone |
| 2017 | 46 | 77 | 156 | 211 | 145 | 9 | Ozone |
| 2016 | 50 | 80 | 166 | 187 | 159 | 20 | PM2.5 |
| 2015 | 51 | 77 | 189 | 179 | 177 | 9 | PM2.5 |
| 2014 | 57 | 97 | 265 | 116 | 221 | 28 | Ozone |
What This Means for Placer County Residents
Placer, California has received an Air Quality Grade of D (45/100) based on a decade of monitoring data from the EPA's air quality monitoring program. The current median AQI of 52 falls in the "Moderate" range.
Concerning trends show air quality has been declining, with the median AQI rising by 5 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 26 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
Placer, California has a current median AQI of 52, which falls in the "Moderate" range. The area has received an Air Quality Grade of D (45/100) based on 10 years of EPA monitoring data.
Air quality in Placer, California is worsening over the past decade. The median AQI has changed by -5 points from 2014 to 2023.
Placer, California averages 26 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 Placer, California is Ground-Level Ozone. This is the dominant contributor to elevated AQI readings in the Placer County area.
Placer, California averages 26 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 52 (Moderate), outdoor exercise in Placer, California is safe most days, though sensitive individuals should check daily AQI before intense workouts. Placer, California averages 26 days per year when athletes should move workouts indoors.