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AirHistory

Worst Air Quality Cities in America

US cities with the worst air quality over the past decade, based on EPA AQI monitoring data. These areas have the lowest Air Quality Grades due to high AQI levels, worsening trends, frequent unhealthy days, or persistent fine particulate pollution.

#1Maricopa, Arizona

Median AQI: 725yr Avg: 90 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

F

#2BAJA CALIFORNIA NORTE, Country Of Mexico

Median AQI: 665yr Avg: 81 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

F

#3Inyo, California

Median AQI: 615yr Avg: 57 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

F

#4San Bernardino, California

Median AQI: 715yr Avg: 82 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

F

#5Los Angeles, California

Median AQI: 675yr Avg: 75 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#6Riverside, California

Median AQI: 795yr Avg: 82 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#7San Diego, California

Median AQI: 675yr Avg: 67 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#8Plumas, California

Median AQI: 505yr Avg: 52 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#9Tulare, California

Median AQI: 695yr Avg: 75 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#10Harris, Texas

Median AQI: 645yr Avg: 59 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#11Pinal, Arizona

Median AQI: 645yr Avg: 66 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM10

D

#12Mono, California

Median AQI: 245yr Avg: 33 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#13Bernalillo, New Mexico

Median AQI: 595yr Avg: 59 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#14El Paso, Texas

Median AQI: 645yr Avg: 60 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#15Salt Lake, Utah

Median AQI: 545yr Avg: 57 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#16Kern, California

Median AQI: 695yr Avg: 77 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#17Clark, Nevada

Median AQI: 615yr Avg: 62 Stable

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#18Catano, Puerto Rico

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 42 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#19Imperial, California

Median AQI: 615yr Avg: 61 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#20Kings, California

Median AQI: 585yr Avg: 64 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#21Placer, California

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 54 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#22Tarrant, Texas

Median AQI: 575yr Avg: 53 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#23Fresno, California

Median AQI: 645yr Avg: 68 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#24Stanislaus, California

Median AQI: 545yr Avg: 57 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#25Jefferson, Colorado

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 47 Stable

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#26Rock Island, Illinois

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 47 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#27Winnebago, Illinois

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 48 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#28Weld, Colorado

Median AQI: 555yr Avg: 53 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#29Eddy, New Mexico

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 47 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#30Asotin, Washington

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 43 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#31SONORA, Country Of Mexico

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 44 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#32Boulder, Colorado

Median AQI: 505yr Avg: 50 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#33Sangamon, Illinois

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 46 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#34Neosho, Kansas

Median AQI: 545yr Avg: 48 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#35Henderson, Kentucky

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 53 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#36Sanders, Montana

Median AQI: 375yr Avg: 36 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#37Siskiyou, California

Median AQI: 435yr Avg: 41 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#38Douglas, Colorado

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 47 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#39Cook, Illinois

Median AQI: 575yr Avg: 57 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#40DuPage, Illinois

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 49 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#41McLean, Illinois

Median AQI: 505yr Avg: 48 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#42Jackson, Mississippi

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 46 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#43Dona Ana, New Mexico

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 54 Stable

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#44Butler, Ohio

Median AQI: 565yr Avg: 50 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#45Codington, South Dakota

Median AQI: 455yr Avg: 40 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#46Uintah, Utah

Median AQI: 545yr Avg: 51 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

D

#47Valley, Idaho

Median AQI: 365yr Avg: 37 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

D

#48Pima, Arizona

Median AQI: 545yr Avg: 53 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#49Chaffee, Colorado

Median AQI: 585yr Avg: 53 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#50Delta, Colorado

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 42 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#51Canyon, Idaho

Median AQI: 345yr Avg: 41 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#52Madison, Illinois

Median AQI: 555yr Avg: 55 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#53Sumner, Kansas

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 47 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#54Wayne, Michigan

Median AQI: 615yr Avg: 58 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#55Lincoln, Montana

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 52 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#56Douglas, Oregon

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 36 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#57Klamath, Oregon

Median AQI: 395yr Avg: 44 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#58Yakima, Washington

Median AQI: 465yr Avg: 49 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#59Johnson, Wyoming

Median AQI: 405yr Avg: 40 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#60Mariposa, California

Median AQI: 475yr Avg: 49 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#61Trinity, California

Median AQI: 315yr Avg: 32 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#62Archuleta, Colorado

Median AQI: 355yr Avg: 39 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#63Larimer, Colorado

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 51 Stable

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#64Marion, Indiana

Median AQI: 605yr Avg: 57 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#65Lafourche, Louisiana

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 48 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#66Bolivar, Mississippi

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 47 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#67Cuyahoga, Ohio

Median AQI: 575yr Avg: 56 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#68Oklahoma, Oklahoma

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 53 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#69Harney, Oregon

Median AQI: 435yr Avg: 44 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#70Bexar, Texas

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 54 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#71Columbia, Washington

Median AQI: 395yr Avg: 32 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#72Okanogan, Washington

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 49 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#73Madison, Alabama

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 48 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#74Mendocino, California

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 46 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#75Denver, Colorado

Median AQI: 545yr Avg: 54 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#76Bonner, Idaho

Median AQI: 345yr Avg: 33 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#77Kane, Illinois

Median AQI: 465yr Avg: 43 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#78Shawnee, Kansas

Median AQI: 485yr Avg: 46 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#79Ottawa, Oklahoma

Median AQI: 545yr Avg: 51 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#80Lane, Oregon

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 45 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#81York, South Carolina

Median AQI: 475yr Avg: 44 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#82Culberson, Texas

Median AQI: 205yr Avg: 37 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#83Duchesne, Utah

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 48 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#84Idaho, Idaho

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 42 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#85Cass, Minnesota

Median AQI: 325yr Avg: 32 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#86Jefferson, Alabama

Median AQI: 615yr Avg: 57 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#87Nevada, California

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 47 Stable

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#88Sacramento, California

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 53 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#89Adams, Colorado

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 50 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#90Johnson, Kansas

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 44 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#91Scott, Minnesota

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 41 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#92St. Louis City, Missouri

Median AQI: 585yr Avg: 55 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#93Josephine, Oregon

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 38 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#94Arapahoe, Colorado

Median AQI: 475yr Avg: 46 Stable

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#95Garfield, Colorado

Median AQI: 545yr Avg: 50 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#96Broward, Florida

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 49 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#97Duval, Florida

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 52 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#98Bannock, Idaho

Median AQI: 415yr Avg: 37 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#99McHenry, Illinois

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 49 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#100Saint Clair, Illinois

Median AQI: 545yr Avg: 50 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#101Hancock, Mississippi

Median AQI: 505yr Avg: 45 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#102Missoula, Montana

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 54 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#103Cleveland, Oklahoma

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 51 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#104McClain, Oklahoma

Median AQI: 485yr Avg: 44 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#105Grant, Oregon

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 45 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#106Allegheny, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 565yr Avg: 56 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#107Cameron, Texas

Median AQI: 545yr Avg: 52 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#108Denton, Texas

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 46 Stable

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#109Davis, Utah

Median AQI: 475yr Avg: 46 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#110Stevens, Washington

Median AQI: 465yr Avg: 42 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#111Horry, South Carolina

Median AQI: 435yr Avg: 37 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#112Gila, Arizona

Median AQI: 465yr Avg: 46 Stable

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#113Del Norte, California

Median AQI: 325yr Avg: 32 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#114Baker, Florida

Median AQI: 435yr Avg: 40 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#115Washington, Georgia

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 47 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#116Ada, Idaho

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 45 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#117Lake, Illinois

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 40 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#118Becker, Minnesota

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 39 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#119Wright, Minnesota

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 41 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#120Jackson, Missouri

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 51 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#121Stark, Ohio

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 51 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#122Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 585yr Avg: 55 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#123Hamilton, Tennessee

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 49 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#124Bell, Texas

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 45 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#125Dallas, Texas

Median AQI: 555yr Avg: 50 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#126Galveston, Texas

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 45 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#127Travis, Texas

Median AQI: 545yr Avg: 52 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#128Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 49 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#129Waukesha, Wisconsin

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 48 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#130Ward, North Dakota

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 36 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#131Washington, Arkansas

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 46 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#132Park, Colorado

Median AQI: 505yr Avg: 49 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#133Citrus, Florida

Median AQI: 455yr Avg: 43 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#134Columbia, Florida

Median AQI: 475yr Avg: 45 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#135Escambia, Florida

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 49 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#136Hamilton, Illinois

Median AQI: 465yr Avg: 46 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#137Jersey, Illinois

Median AQI: 485yr Avg: 46 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#138Macon, Illinois

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 49 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#139Will, Illinois

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 51 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#140Linn, Iowa

Median AQI: 545yr Avg: 49 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#141Bell, Kentucky

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 45 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#142Pittsburg, Oklahoma

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 47 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#143Tulsa, Oklahoma

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 51 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#144Jackson, Oregon

Median AQI: 455yr Avg: 44 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#145Cache, Utah

Median AQI: 485yr Avg: 47 Stable

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#146Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Median AQI: 465yr Avg: 42 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#147Grant, Oklahoma

Median AQI: 325yr Avg: 28 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#148Crittenden, Arkansas

Median AQI: 415yr Avg: 45 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#149Colusa, California

Median AQI: 555yr Avg: 47 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#150Madera, California

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 56 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#151Merced, California

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 54 Improving

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#152Shasta, California

Median AQI: 455yr Avg: 44 Stable

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#153Sutter, California

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 52 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#154Tehama, California

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 45 Stable

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#155Clear Creek, Colorado

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 48 Stable

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#156Richmond, Georgia

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 51 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#157Johnson, Iowa

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 48 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#158Sedgwick, Kansas

Median AQI: 485yr Avg: 45 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#159Wyandotte, Kansas

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 50 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#160Jefferson, Kentucky

Median AQI: 555yr Avg: 54 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#161Kalamazoo, Michigan

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 47 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#162Macomb, Michigan

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 44 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#163Missaukee, Michigan

Median AQI: 485yr Avg: 43 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#164Ottawa, Michigan

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 44 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#165Dakota, Minnesota

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 40 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#166Lyon, Minnesota

Median AQI: 465yr Avg: 38 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#167Stearns, Minnesota

Median AQI: 485yr Avg: 39 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#168Washoe, Nevada

Median AQI: 505yr Avg: 50 Stable

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#169Hamilton, Ohio

Median AQI: 545yr Avg: 55 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#170Montgomery, Ohio

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 51 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#171Harrison, Texas

Median AQI: 475yr Avg: 46 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#172Montgomery, Texas

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 48 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#173Tooele, Utah

Median AQI: 455yr Avg: 44 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#174Richmond City, Virginia

Median AQI: 455yr Avg: 42 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#175Benton, Washington

Median AQI: 415yr Avg: 38 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#176Dane, Wisconsin

Median AQI: 505yr Avg: 46 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#177Grant, Wisconsin

Median AQI: 485yr Avg: 42 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#178Lincoln, Wyoming

Median AQI: 445yr Avg: 29 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM10

C

#179Washington, Oklahoma

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 47 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#180Gilpin, Colorado

Median AQI: 475yr Avg: 46 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#181Pulaski, Arkansas

Median AQI: 555yr Avg: 53 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#182Orange, California

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 54 Improving

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#183El Paso, Colorado

Median AQI: 475yr Avg: 46 Stable

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#184Bay, Florida

Median AQI: 515yr Avg: 47 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#185Holmes, Florida

Median AQI: 495yr Avg: 48 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#186Clarke, Georgia

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 49 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#187Fulton, Georgia

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 53 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#188Benewah, Idaho

Median AQI: 485yr Avg: 48 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#189Champaign, Illinois

Median AQI: 485yr Avg: 45 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#190Clark, Indiana

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 50 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#191Lake, Indiana

Median AQI: 555yr Avg: 53 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#192Bossier, Louisiana

Median AQI: 535yr Avg: 47 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#193Calcasieu, Louisiana

Median AQI: 545yr Avg: 52 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#194Chippewa, Michigan

Median AQI: 435yr Avg: 43 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#195Queens, New York

Median AQI: 505yr Avg: 46 Stable

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#196Durham, North Carolina

Median AQI: 525yr Avg: 49 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#197Burleigh, North Dakota

Median AQI: 425yr Avg: 38 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#198Love, Oklahoma

Median AQI: 455yr Avg: 44 Worsening

Primary pollutant: Ozone

C

#199Sequoyah, Oklahoma

Median AQI: 465yr Avg: 41 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C

#200Lehigh, Pennsylvania

Median AQI: 435yr Avg: 43 Worsening

Primary pollutant: PM2.5

C