This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 78404 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 2,376 78404 residents, or 33.0%, live above that level. By land area, 41.4% of 78404 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 78404 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 78404
Average noise levels for 78404 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 78404. Northern 78404 carries the highest population-weighted average; Eastern 78404 carries the lowest. Just 28% of residents in Eastern 78404 live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, three-quarters of the share in Northern 78404.
Central 78404
43% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern 78404
28% of people above 55 dBA
Northern 78404
41% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 78404
25% of people above 55 dBA
Western 78404
35% of people above 55 dBA
Northern 78404 sounds about 16% louder than Eastern 78404 to the human ear, a 2.1 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 286 do you need to be?
State Hwy 286 produces an estimated 76 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 suburban street at night.
Calculated from the model's calibrated attenuation formula. About 8% of 78404 sits under tree canopy (lighter than most zip codes) and roughly 44% 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.