Fine particulate matter
The average amount of fine particle pollution in the air, in micrograms per cubic metre. These are bits of soot small enough to get into the blood. It is an estimate from a statistical model, since most counties have no air monitor.
Reported for3,059areas, in 50 states — none in CT, PR
Link to density0.38not mostly about how urban a place is
Nearby places alike0.73Moran’s I: strongly, neighbouring places tend to be similar
Typeratemicrograms per cubic metre
How it has moved
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Every state, every year
One row per state and one column per year, sorted by the latest value. It shows states, not counties: nobody can scan 3,222 rows, and the pattern only shows when it all fits on one screen.
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Where it comes from
County Health Rankings · County Health Rankings v125
University of Wisconsin · 13 releases, 2013–2025; each value filed under the last year its data covers, 2010–2023 · 95% likely ranges, converted to 90%; figures based on small counts are withheld
Average daily level of fine dust and soot particles in the air (PM2.5). It comes from an air-quality computer model, not from a monitor in every county. Source: County Health Rankings, which compiles each measure from its own source and filed here under the last year of the period it covers.
Combining areas: an average weighted by population.
What it goes with
The strongest links that have a page of their own. Unadjusted is the link before adjusting for anything, from −1 (opposite) to +1 (in step). Adjusted compares places with the same population density, income and education levels, so those differences can’t explain the link. This list leaves out the 0 pairs built from the same numbers or the same model as this measure, since they are bound to match.
| Measure | Unadjusted | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Fine particulate matter and Local income tax as a share of incomeWhere Fine particulate matter is higher, Local income tax as a share of income tends to be lower: a weak link that holds when only places with similar density, income and education are compared. Local income tax as a share of income by US county | -0.03 | -0.35 |
Population makeup
How this measure varies with the racial and ethnic makeup of counties. Every group is shown, whatever its rank. These are links across counties: they describe places, not people. They say nothing about any person’s risk or behaviour based on their race. Counties with a larger share of one group also differ in much else, such as income, segregation, region and history. The adjusted figure only accounts for density, income and education.
| Share of residents | Unadjusted | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Fine particulate matter and Share White, not HispanicCould easily be chance once only places with similar density, income and education are compared. Share White, not Hispanic by US county | -0.22 | -0.17 |
| Fine particulate matter and Share Black, not HispanicCould easily be chance once only places with similar density, income and education are compared. Share Black, not Hispanic by US county | +0.10 | +0.07 |
| Fine particulate matter and Share Hispanic or Latino, any raceCould easily be chance once only places with similar density, income and education are compared. Share Hispanic or Latino, any race by US county | +0.16 | +0.17 |
| Fine particulate matter and Share Asian, not HispanicCould easily be chance once only places with similar density, income and education are compared. Share Asian, not Hispanic by US county | +0.18 | +0.11 |
| Fine particulate matter and Share American Indian or Alaska Native, not HispanicCould easily be chance once only places with similar density, income and education are compared. Share American Indian or Alaska Native, not Hispanic by US county | -0.14 | -0.08 |
Highest and lowest
Of 3,059 counties reporting it. These are the two ends of a national ranking. For most measures, that ranking mostly sorts places by income and how urban they are. That is why the place pages compare each place with similar places instead.
Highest
- Mono County, CA — 39.1
- Clackamas County, OR — 30.4
- Marion County, OR — 24.9
- Mariposa County, CA — 21.3
- Plumas County, CA — 21.1
Lowest
- Carlton County, MN — 1.3
- Gallatin County, MT — 2.3
- Cook County, MN — 2.6
- Hancock County, ME — 2.8
- Sublette County, WY — 3.1
The middle area reports 7.6. The middle half of counties falls between 6.5 and 8.5 (the 25th to 75th percentile).
All measures · Explore its pairs · How the US county data works