This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 78336 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 925 78336 residents, or 10.8%, live above that level. By land area, 14.3% of 78336 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 78336 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 78336
Average noise levels for 78336 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 78336. The highest population-weighted average is in southeastern 78336; the lowest is in northeastern 78336, where just 3% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a fifth of the share in the loudest section.
Southeastern 78336
19% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 78336
16% of people above 55 dBA
Northwestern 78336
8% of people above 55 dBA
Western 78336
3% of people above 55 dBA
Northeastern 78336
3% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in southeastern 78336 sounds about 53% louder than in northeastern 78336, 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 State Hwy 35 do you need to be?
State Hwy 35 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 7% of 78336 sits under tree canopy (lighter than most zip codes) and roughly 28% 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.