Columbia Air Quality in July
Across 2019–2025, Columbia's July air quality had a median AQI of 48 (Good) over 217 monitored days in the Columbia, SC area. 1.4% of July days (3 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 77.4% of days. The cleanest July on record here was 2022 (median AQI 43, 0 days above 100) and the worst was 2021 (median 55, 2 days above 100, peak AQI 102).
- Good: 53.5%
- Moderate: 45.2%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 1.4%
- Unhealthy or worse: 0.0%
Extra Protection for Columbia Homes
Air quality in Columbia is moderate (AQI 52), with fine particles (PM2.5) the main concern. A True-HEPA purifier gives sensitive groups — kids, seniors and anyone with asthma or allergies — cleaner air indoors on days like today.
Recommended: Coway AP-1512HH Mighty — True HEPA + carbon · CADR ~246 CFM · rooms up to 361 sq ft
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How is the air in Columbia in July?
Good on a typical day: median AQI 48 across 2019–2025, with 1.4% of July days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓53.5% of July days were Good (AQI 0–50), 45.2% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓3 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the July peak was 113.
- ✓Best July: 2022; worst July: 2021.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Columbia in July?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Columbia in July was 48 (Good). 53.5% of days were Good, 45.2% Moderate, and 1.4% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is July a good time for outdoor exercise in Columbia?▾
A typical July day in Columbia sits in the Good range (median AQI 48), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; about 1 day in 71 of July days (1.4%) reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
Which pollutant causes Columbia's July air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 77.4% of July days in Columbia. The highest July AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 113 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), in 2021.
Columbia July air quality, year by year
Columbia July air quality by year (Columbia, SC, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 54 | 0 | 87 | PM2.5 |
| 2020 | 31 | 46 | 0 | 61 | PM2.5 |
| 2021worst | 31 | 55 | 2 | 102 | PM2.5 |
| 2022cleanest | 31 | 43 | 0 | 54 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 31 | 54 | 1 | 113 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 31 | 51 | 0 | 84 | PM2.5 |
| 2025 | 31 | 47 | 0 | 59 | PM2.5 |
What July air means in Columbia
A typical July day in Columbia sits in the Good range (median AQI 48), so running, cycling and children's outdoor play are fine for everyone on most days; about 1 day in 71 of July days (1.4%) reached AQI 101+ in 2019–2025.
July's median AQI of 48 is in line with Columbia's whole-year median of 47, so this period is neither a clean nor a dirty stretch for the area. Nationally, the median July AQI across every EPA metro area (103,858 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 47, so Columbia runs in line with the national July norm; 1.4% of its July days topped AQI 100 versus 3.6% nationally (below average).
July is part of Columbia's summer season (June, July, August); the summer page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Columbia
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Columbia's AQI at 52 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Columbia air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Columbia, SC), 2019–2025. Daily AQI per CBSA is the highest AQI reported by any monitor in the area that day; the defining parameter is the pollutant that set it. Month and season statistics pool every such day in the period across all years listed. Retrieved 2026-09-09.