This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 79079 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 382 79079 residents, or 29.2%, live above that level. By land area, 13.9% of 79079 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 79079 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 79079
Average noise levels for 79079 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 79079. Central 79079 carries the highest population-weighted average; Western 79079 carries the lowest. Just 2% of residents in Western 79079 live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a fifth of the share in Central 79079.
Central 79079
58% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern 79079
36% of people above 55 dBA
Northern 79079
17% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 79079
40% of people above 55 dBA
Western 79079
2% of people above 55 dBA
Central 79079 sounds about 157% louder than Western 79079 to the human ear, a 13.6 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 US Hwy 66 do you need to be?
US Hwy 66 produces an estimated 75 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 0% of 79079 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.