This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 22556 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 5,819 22556 residents, or 21.3%, live above that level. By land area, 26.2% of 22556 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 22556 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 22556
Average noise levels for 22556 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 22556. The highest population-weighted average is in eastern 22556; the lowest is in northwestern 22556, where just 10% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, about half the share in the loudest section.
Eastern 22556
27% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 22556
35% of people above 55 dBA
Southeastern 22556
15% of people above 55 dBA
Western 22556
10% of people above 55 dBA
Northwestern 22556
10% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in eastern 22556 sounds about 56% louder than in northwestern 22556, a 6.4 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 I-95 do you need to be?
I-95 produces an estimated 79 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 quiet office.
Calculated from the model's calibrated attenuation formula. About 46% of 22556 sits under tree canopy (heavier than most zip codes) and roughly 22% 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.