This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 78543 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 1,301 78543 residents, or 25.1%, live above that level. By land area, 34.2% of 78543 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 78543 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 78543
Average noise levels for 78543 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 78543. The highest population-weighted average is in central 78543; the lowest is in western 78543, where just 12% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a third of the share in the loudest section.
Central 78543
50% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern 78543
30% of people above 55 dBA
Southwestern 78543
15% of people above 55 dBA
Northern 78543
13% of people above 55 dBA
Western 78543
12% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in central 78543 sounds about 69% louder than in western 78543, a 7.6 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 do you need to be?
produces an estimated 70 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 1% of 78543 sits under tree canopy (much lighter than most zip codes) and roughly 27% 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.