This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 18220 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 46 18220 residents, or 28.1%, live above that level. By land area, 43.6% of 18220 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 18220 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 18220
Average noise levels for 18220 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 18220. Eastern 18220 carries the highest population-weighted average; Northern 18220 carries the lowest. Just 1% of residents in Northern 18220 live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a fifth of the share in Eastern 18220.
Central 18220
13% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern 18220
49% of people above 55 dBA
Northern 18220
1% of people above 55 dBA
Western 18220
2% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern 18220 sounds about 171% louder than Northern 18220 to the human ear, a 14.4 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 American Legion Mem Hw do you need to be?
American Legion Mem Hw produces an estimated 75 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 36% of 18220 sits under tree canopy (heavier than most zip codes) and roughly 32% 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.