This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 12986 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 659 12986 residents, or 14.4%, live above that level. By land area, 14.4% of 12986 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 12986 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 12986
Average noise levels for 12986 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 12986. Central 12986 carries the highest population-weighted average; Western 12986 carries the lowest. Just 5% of residents in Western 12986 live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a fifth of the share in Central 12986.
Central 12986
60% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern 12986
16% of people above 55 dBA
Northern 12986
10% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 12986
16% of people above 55 dBA
Western 12986
5% of people above 55 dBA
Central 12986 sounds about 143% louder than Western 12986 to the human ear, a 12.8 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 Ny 30 do you need to be?
Ny 30 produces an estimated 60 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 43% of 12986 sits under tree canopy (heavier than most zip codes) and roughly 20% 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.