Worst Air Quality in North Carolina

Top 100 cities ranked by worst air quality

Best Cities For...

Composite rankings combining multiple weighted metrics — 5 topics across U.S. Census, FBI, NOAA and CDC data.

Best Cities for Retirees

Low crime, warm climate, affordable cost of living and strong healthcare access.

Best Cities for Remote Workers

Strong broadband, affordable rent, low traffic and existing remote-work culture.

Best Cities for Families

Strong schools, low crime, affordable homes and family-friendly commutes.

Best Cities for Young Professionals

High incomes, educated peers, transit access and an under-35 demographic.

Most Affordable Cities

The lowest cost of living across home prices, rent, services and rent burden.

Population & Density

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense

Economy

Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Wages Cheapest Cost of Living

Housing

Highest Home Value Most Affordable Highest Rent Lowest Rent Highest Homeownership Newest Housing Lowest Property Tax

Demographics & Education

Most Educated Best Schools Most Graduate Degrees Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Most Veterans

Health & Safety

Safest Cities Highest Crime Healthiest Cities Lowest Smoking Best Doctor Access Best Dental Access

Climate & Air

Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities Sunniest Cities Snowiest Cities Cleanest Air Worst Air Quality

Quality of Life

Shortest Commute Most Work From Home

Civic & Politics

Most Republican Most Democratic Most Disasters

Geography & Infrastructure

Highest Elevation Best Broadband Most EV Stations Most Libraries Most Restaurants

All Countries · United States · North Carolina

Worst Air Quality — North Carolina

1 Durham AQI 51

2 Graham AQI 44

3 Davidson AQI 43

4 Rockingham AQI 43

5 Charlotte AQI 40

6 Raleigh AQI 40

7 Greensboro AQI 40

8 Winston-Salem AQI 40

9 Fayetteville AQI 40

10 Cary AQI 40

11 Wilmington AQI 40

12 High Point AQI 40

13 Concord AQI 40

14 Asheville AQI 40

15 Greenville AQI 40

16 Gastonia AQI 40

17 Jacksonville AQI 40

18 Apex AQI 40

19 Huntersville AQI 40

20 Chapel Hill AQI 40

21 Burlington AQI 40

22 Kannapolis AQI 40

23 Rocky Mount AQI 40

24 Mooresville AQI 40

25 Wake Forest AQI 40

26 Wilson AQI 40

27 Hickory AQI 40

28 Holly Springs AQI 40

29 Indian Trail AQI 40

30 Fuquay-Varina AQI 40

31 Salisbury AQI 40

32 Monroe AQI 40

33 Goldsboro AQI 40

34 Garner AQI 40

35 Cornelius AQI 40

36 New Bern AQI 40

37 Sanford AQI 40

38 Morrisville AQI 40

39 Matthews AQI 40

40 Statesville AQI 40

41 Clayton AQI 40

42 Kernersville AQI 40

43 Asheboro AQI 40

44 Thomasville AQI 40

45 Mint Hill AQI 40

46 Leland AQI 40

47 Shelby AQI 40

48 Clemmons AQI 40

49 Waxhaw AQI 40

50 Carrboro AQI 40

51 Lexington AQI 40

52 Kinston AQI 40

53 Boone AQI 40

54 Knightdale AQI 40

55 Lumberton AQI 40

56 Harrisburg AQI 40

57 Mebane AQI 40

58 Elizabeth City AQI 40

59 Pinehurst AQI 40

60 Mount Holly AQI 40

61 Hope Mills AQI 40

62 Morganton AQI 40

63 Murraysville AQI 40

64 Albemarle AQI 40

65 Stallings AQI 40

66 Havelock AQI 40

67 Southern Pines AQI 40

68 Eden AQI 40

69 Hendersonville AQI 40

70 Belmont AQI 40

71 Laurinburg AQI 40

72 Roanoke Rapids AQI 40

73 Henderson AQI 40

74 Reidsville AQI 40

75 Piney Green AQI 40

76 Anderson Creek AQI 40

77 Lewisville AQI 40

78 Weddington AQI 40

79 Newton AQI 40

80 Lake Norman of Iredell AQI 40

81 Myrtle Grove AQI 40

82 Archdale AQI 40

83 Smithfield AQI 40

84 Spring Lake AQI 40

85 Wendell AQI 40

86 Lincolnton AQI 40

87 Kings Mountain AQI 40

88 Elon AQI 40

89 Spout Springs AQI 40

90 Summerfield AQI 40

91 Pineville AQI 40

92 Tarboro AQI 40

93 Mount Airy AQI 40

94 Winterville AQI 40

95 Waynesville AQI 40

96 Rolesville AQI 40

97 Washington AQI 40

98 Morehead City AQI 40

99 Hillsborough AQI 40

100 St. Stephens AQI 40

Explore the top 100 cities ranked by worst air quality in North Carolina.

City rankings help residents, researchers, and policymakers understand how communities compare across important quality-of-life measures.

Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI Crime Statistics, and NOAA climate records.

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