This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 02557 at 100-meter resolution, combining road, aviation, and rail sources. Green areas measure below 45 dBA. Orange and red exceed the EPA's 55 dBA outdoor threshold linked to long-term health effects. Use the layer toggles to view each source on its own or all together.
What the numbers sound like
- 30 dBAWhisper
- 40 dBASoft rainfall
- 45 dBAQuiet suburban street at night
- 50 dBAQuiet office
- 55 dBAEPA outdoor threshold: light traffic 100 ft away
- 60 dBANormal conversation an arm's length away
- 65 dBABusy restaurant
- 70 dBAHighway traffic 50 ft away
- 80 dBACity bus interior
Population Above the EPA Outdoor Threshold
The EPA's 55 dBA outdoor reference level is a common benchmark for residential noise exposure, especially for activity interference, annoyance, and long-term community noise concerns. About 1,437 02557 residents, or 32.9%, live above that level. By land area, 43.6% of 02557 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 02557 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 02557
Average noise levels for 02557 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 02557. The highest population-weighted average is in northeastern 02557; the lowest is in southwestern 02557, where just 11% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a third of the share in the loudest section.
Northeastern 02557
32% of people above 55 dBA
Central 02557
25% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern 02557
17% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 02557
15% of people above 55 dBA
Southwestern 02557
11% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in northeastern 02557 sounds about 27% louder than in southwestern 02557, a 3.4 dBA gap. Every 10 dBA roughly doubles perceived loudness. Within any of these directions, two homes a quarter mile apart can still differ by 10 or more dBA depending on how close they sit to a major highway.
How far back from do you need to be?
produces an estimated 66 dBA at its loudest centerline points. Noise drops logarithmically with distance, with the exact rate depending on what's between you and the road. Tree cover, walls, terrain, and pavement type all matter. At roughly a quarter mile back, traffic fades into the noise level of a soft rainfall.
Calculated from the model's calibrated attenuation formula. About 40% of 02557 sits under tree canopy (heavier than most zip codes) and roughly 23% is impervious surface like pavement and rooftops. Both are folded into the per-place decay rate above. Heavier canopy pulls noise down faster with distance; impervious surfaces slow the drop.