This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 32003 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 6,593 32003 residents, or 23.5%, live above that level. By land area, 33.2% of 32003 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 32003 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 32003
Average noise levels for 32003 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 32003. The highest population-weighted average is in eastern 32003; the lowest is in western 32003, where just 13% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, about half the share in the loudest section.
Eastern 32003
36% of people above 55 dBA
Northeastern 32003
21% of people above 55 dBA
Southeastern 32003
19% of people above 55 dBA
Southwestern 32003
12% of people above 55 dBA
Western 32003
13% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in eastern 32003 sounds about 53% louder than in western 32003, a 6.1 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 US-17 do you need to be?
US-17 produces an estimated 69 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 33% of 32003 sits under tree canopy (heavier than most zip codes) and roughly 26% 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.