This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 97444 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 1,057 97444 residents, or 21.3%, live above that level. By land area, 13.8% of 97444 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 97444 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 97444
Average noise levels for 97444 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 97444. Western 97444 carries the highest population-weighted average; Eastern 97444 carries the lowest. Just 9% of residents in Eastern 97444 live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a third of the share in Western 97444.
Central 97444
35% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern 97444
9% of people above 55 dBA
Northern 97444
8% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 97444
29% of people above 55 dBA
Western 97444
36% of people above 55 dBA
Western 97444 sounds about 69% louder than Eastern 97444 to the human ear, 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 US Route 101 do you need to be?
US Route 101 produces an estimated 64 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 41% of 97444 sits under tree canopy (heavier than most zip codes) and roughly 21% 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.