The Neighborhoods With The Worst Air Quality In Every City Right Now

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Air pollution is one of the most pressing public health challenges in urban areas worldwide. No amount of fine particulate matter is safe to breathe, with high exposure to air pollution linked to respiratory illness, heart disease, and shortened lifespans.

While air pollution is typically measured at the city or county level, exposure to particulate matter varies drastically from one neighborhood to another in U.S. cities. Poor communities situated near highways, airports, and industrial corridors often face a greater burden of toxic emissions, while wealthier neighborhoods experience far cleaner air.

In some neighborhoods, real-time readings show particulate levels nearly double the citywide average. A closer look at the data reveals the neighborhoods with the worst air quality in every major city right now.

To determine the neighborhoods with the worst air quality in every major city right now, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed particulate matter concentration rasters from the NOAA. Neighborhoods in the 25 largest cities with available data were ranked based on average 24-hour particulate matter concentration as of September 13, 2025. Neighborhood boundaries are based on definitions from local governments. Cities are ordered here by population.

25. Sacramento, CA

Most polluted neighborhood: Greenbriar (4.6 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 4.0 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Valleyview Acres, Westlake, Village Green, East Del Paso Heights, Hansen Park Golf Course Site

24. Tucson, AZ

Most polluted neighborhood: Menlo Park (5.5 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 4.7 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Barrio Hollywood, Pima West, Santiago Hills, Barrio Kroeger Lane, West Branch Santa Cruz

23. Fresno, CA

Most polluted neighborhood: Woodward Park (3.1 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 2.9 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Roosevelt, Bullard, West, Mclane, Fresno High-Roeding

22. Milwaukee, WI

*Photo by Miguel Ángel Sanz on Unsplash*

Most polluted neighborhood: Hawley Farms (17.0 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 16.1 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Wedgewood, Heritage Heights, Florist Highlands, Mack Acres, Little Menomonee Parkway

21. Baltimore, MD

Most polluted neighborhood: Dundalk Marine Terminal (10.5 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 9.0 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Curtis Bay, Curtis Bay Industrial Area, Saint Helena, Fairfield Area, Canton Industrial Area

20. Louisville, KY

Most polluted neighborhood: Algonquin (13.7 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 12.1 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Hallmark, Park Duvalle, Remainder of City, Remainder of City, Hazelwood

19. Detroit, MI

Most polluted neighborhood: Oakwood Heights (18.9 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 16.9 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Boynton, Fairlane, Salina, Far West Detroit, Fordson West

18. Portland, OR

Most polluted neighborhood: Ardenwald-Johnson Creek (11.2 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 7.1 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Ardenwald-Johnson Creek/Woodstock, Mc Unclaimed #13, Mc Unclaimed #13, Ardenwald-Johnson Creek, Pleasant Valley/Powellhurst-Gilbert

17. Boston, MA

Most polluted neighborhood: Roslindale (6.0 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 5.6 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Roxbury, Mission Hill, Longwood, South Boston, Back Bay

16. Nashville, TN

*Photo by kortney musselman on Unsplash*

Most polluted neighborhood: Southeast (12.1 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 10.9 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Antioch - Priest Lake, South Nashville, Downtown, Green Hills - Midtown, Donelson - Hermitage - Old Hickory

15. Denver, CO

*Photo by Nils Huenerfuerst on Unsplash*

Most polluted neighborhood: Dia (7.9 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 6.8 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: High Point at Dia, Painted Prairie, Singletree, Montbello, Central Park

14. Seattle, WA

Most polluted neighborhood: Lake City (11.5 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 9.7 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Northeast, Lake City, Northeast, Lake City, Northgate

13. San Francisco, CA

Most polluted neighborhood: Treasure Island (5.3 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 4.0 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: North Beach, Chinatown, Financial District/South Beach, Potrero Hill, Mission Bay

12. Charlotte, NC

Most polluted neighborhood: Southwest Middle (9.5 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 8.1 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Southwest Middle, West Outer, West Inner, South Inner, Uptown

11. Indianapolis, IN

Most polluted neighborhood: Clermont (14.5 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 12.7 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Key Meadows, Chapel Hill/Ben Davis, Eagle Creek, Northwest High School, Airport

10. Columbus, OH

Most polluted neighborhood: Southwest (13.3 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 12.1 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: German Village, Brewery District, South Side, Harmon Road Corridor, Livingston Avenue Area

9. Fort Worth, TX

Most polluted neighborhood: Stone Creek (13.2 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 11.9 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Newport Village at Trinity, Lakeview, Lakes of River Trails East, Seventeen Lakes, Chadwick Farms

8. Austin, TX

Most polluted neighborhood: Spicewood (11.0 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 10.0 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Jester, Jollyville, Gateway, Four Points, Anderson Mill

7. San Diego, CA

Most polluted neighborhood: None (5.9 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 4.2 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Otay Mesa, Otay Valley, Rios/Playmor, None, Ocean Crest

6. San Antonio, TX

Most polluted neighborhood: Braun Station West Community Improvement (8.4 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 7.6 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Northwest Crossing of San Antonio, Guilbeau Park, Finesilver Ranch, Mainland Square, Braunridge

5. Philadelphia, PA

Most polluted neighborhood: Packer Park (10.0 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 8.5 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Navy Yard, Stadium District, Airport, Riverfront, Girard Estates

4. Phoenix, AZ

Most polluted neighborhood: Encanto (4.8 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 4.1 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Central City, South Mountain, Tempe South Mountain, Laveen, Ahwatukee Foothills

3. Houston, TX

Most polluted neighborhood: Second Ward (11.7 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 10.0 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Greater Eastwood, Magnolia Park, Clinton Park Tri-Community, Denver Harbor/Port Houston, Downtown

2. Los Angeles, CA

Most polluted neighborhood: Tujunga (6.6 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 4.2 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Sunland, Linda Vista/Annandale Association, Shadow Hills, Lake View Terrace, Hansen Dam

1. New York, NY

*Photo by Dana Andreea Gheorghe on Unsplash*

Most polluted neighborhood: Borough Park-Kensington (10.9 µg/m³ PM2.5)
Citywide concentration of particulate matter: 9.3 µg/m³ PM2.5
Other neighborhoods with above-average air pollution: Flatbush-Midwood, Coney Island-Brighton Beach, Sheepshead Bay-Gravesend (East), Bensonhurst-Bath Beach, Prospect Park

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