This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 93041 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 4,960 93041 residents, or 31.2%, live above that level. By land area, 32.7% of 93041 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 93041 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 93041
Average noise levels for 93041 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 93041. Southern 93041 carries the highest population-weighted average; Western 93041 carries the lowest. Just 20% of residents in Western 93041 live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, about two-thirds of the share in Southern 93041.
Central 93041
25% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern 93041
24% of people above 55 dBA
Northern 93041
27% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 93041
38% of people above 55 dBA
Western 93041
20% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 93041 sounds about 39% louder than Western 93041 to the human ear, a 4.7 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 Rte 1 do you need to be?
State Rte 1 produces an estimated 65 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 4% of 93041 sits under tree canopy (much lighter than most zip codes) and roughly 59% 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.