Cities in Alabama and Ohio Are Reducing Air Pollution the Most; See The Full List

By Hristina • December 19, 2024

Smoke billows from industrial chimneys at sunset, highlighting pollution against a vibrant sky.

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The steady increase in air quality in the United States over the last 25 years has been one of the most significant public health achievements of the 21st century. On average, particulate matter concentration has fallen 36.8% in the U.S. from 2000 to 2023, with a handful of major cities making far greater improvements.

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Some cities – many of them former manufacturing hubs throughout the South and Rust Belt – have managed to reduce PM2.5 concentrations by more than half since 2000. Other cities have achieved significant reductions in particulate matter concentration while accommodating rapid population growth. A look at EPA data reveals the cities that have reduced air pollution the most in the last 25 years.

To determine the cities reducing air pollution the most, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed historical data on air quality from the EPA. Metropolitan statistical areas were ranked based on the raw change in average annual PM2.5 concentration from 2000 to 2023. Supplemental data on population is from the U.S. Census Bureau.

25. Columbia, SC

Pexels / Photo by Sebastian Angarita

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 8.0 µg/m³ (-7.9 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 15.9 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +32.4%
Total population, 2023: 856,889

24. Cleveland-Elyria, OH

Pexels / Photo by DAVID Mercado

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 9.9 µg/m³ (-7.9 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 17.8 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +0.5%
Total population, 2023: 2,158,932

23. Canton-Massillon, OH

Pexels / Photo by Rory C

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 10.7 µg/m³ (-7.9 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 18.6 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: -1.8%
Total population, 2023: 399,474

22. Winston-Salem, NC

Pexels / Photo by Lamont Mead

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 9.4 µg/m³ (-8.0 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 17.4 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +64.9%
Total population, 2023: 695,630

21. Lancaster, PA

Pexels / Photo by Vladimir Kudinov

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 9.8 µg/m³ (-8.0 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 17.8 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +18.7%
Total population, 2023: 558,589

20. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Pexels / Photo by John Hill

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 8.3 µg/m³ (-8.1 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 16.4 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +110.8%
Total population, 2023: 2,805,115

19. Modesto, CA

Pexels / Photo by Valentin S

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 10.5 µg/m³ (-8.2 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 18.7 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +23.4%
Total population, 2023: 551,430

18. Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA

Pexels / Photo by Wyatt George

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 8.4 µg/m³ (-8.2 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 16.6 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +4.7%
Total population, 2023: 312,490

17. Lexington-Fayette, KY

Pexels / Photo by Daisy Laparra

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 8.3 µg/m³ (-8.3 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 16.6 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +27.4%
Total population, 2023: 520,045

16. Fort Payne, AL

Pexels / Photo by A. G. Rosales

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 8.9 µg/m³ (-8.3 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 17.2 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +12.6%
Total population, 2023: 72,569

15. Columbus, OH

Pexels / Photo by Jake Wells

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 9.9 µg/m³ (-8.3 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 18.2 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +35.2%
Total population, 2023: 2,180,271

14. Akron, OH

Pexels / Photo by Stephen Leonardi

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 7.5 µg/m³ (-8.7 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 16.2 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +0.5%
Total population, 2023: 698,398

13. Parkersburg-Vienna, WV

Pexels / Photo by John Barnard

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 8.9 µg/m³ (-8.9 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 17.8 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: -46.8%
Total population, 2023: 87,628

12. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Pexels / Photo by veeterzy

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 9.9 µg/m³ (-9.0 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 18.9 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: N/A
Total population, 2023: 12,799,100

11. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

Pexels / Photo by Nate Hovee

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 9.8 µg/m³ (-9.0 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 18.8 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +48.4%
Total population, 2023: 6,305,839

10. Asheville, NC

Pexels / Photo by Francisco Cornellana Castells

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 6.4 µg/m³ (-9.0 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 15.4 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +13.0%
Total population, 2023: 417,202

9. Gainesville, GA

Pexels / Photo by Nur Demirbaş

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 8.9 µg/m³ (-9.2 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 18.1 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +56.0%
Total population, 2023: 217,267

8. Bakersfield, CA

Pexels / Photo by evie pena

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 12.2 µg/m³ (-9.2 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 21.4 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +38.1%
Total population, 2023: 913,820

7. Chattanooga, TN-GA

Pexels / Photo by Kelly

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 9.1 µg/m³ (-9.3 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 18.4 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +21.8%
Total population, 2023: 580,353

6. Charleston, WV

Pexels / Photo by Sharon Wahrmund

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 8.8 µg/m³ (-9.3 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 18.1 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: -34.4%
Total population, 2023: 203,259

5. Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Pexels / Photo by Lynn Nash

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 8.5 µg/m³ (-9.4 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 17.9 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +8.2%
Total population, 2023: 370,030

4. Gadsden, AL

Pexels / Photo by Pixabay

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 9.8 µg/m³ (-9.7 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 19.5 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: -0.2%
Total population, 2023: 103,241

3. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Pexels / Photo by Soly Moses

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 9.6 µg/m³ (-10.3 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 19.9 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +44.0%
Total population, 2023: 4,688,053

2. Birmingham-Hoover, AL

Pexels / Photo by Luke Webb

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 9.6 µg/m³ (-10.4 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 20.0 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: +12.5%
Total population, 2023: 1,184,290

1. Portsmouth, OH

Pexels / Photo by Altaf Shah

Average PM2.5 concentration, 2023: 8.8 µg/m³ (-12.3 µg/m³ from 2000)
Average PM2.5 concentration, 2000: 21.1 µg/m³
Population change, 2000-2023: -9.1%
Total population, 2023: 71,969

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