This map shows modeled outdoor noise across Curtis 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 1,439 Curtis residents, or 23.1%, live above that level. By land area, 24.1% of Curtis is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in Curtis compares to similar-sized neighborhoods.
Noise by Part of Curtis
Average noise levels for Curtis residents, grouped by direction from the center of Curtis. The highest population-weighted average is in southern Curtis; the lowest is in western Curtis, where just 14% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, about half the share in the loudest section.
Southern Curtis
32% of people above 55 dBA
Southwestern Curtis
32% of people above 55 dBA
Northeastern Curtis
27% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern Curtis
14% of people above 55 dBA
Western Curtis
14% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in southern Curtis sounds about 30% louder than in western Curtis, a 3.8 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 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 0% of Curtis sits under tree canopy (much lighter than most neighborhoods) and roughly 31% 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.