This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 53953 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 27 53953 residents, or 7.5%, live above that level. By land area, 26.1% of 53953 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 53953 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 53953
Average noise levels for 53953 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 53953. Southern 53953 carries the highest population-weighted average; Northern 53953 carries the lowest. Just 1% of residents in Northern 53953 live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a fifth of the share in Southern 53953.
Central 53953
6% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern 53953
2% of people above 55 dBA
Northern 53953
1% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 53953
15% of people above 55 dBA
Western 53953
6% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 53953 sounds about 80% louder than Northern 53953 to the human ear, a 8.5 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 6TH Rd do you need to be?
6TH Rd produces an estimated 55 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 53953 sits under tree canopy (heavier than most zip codes) and roughly 9% 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.