This map shows modeled outdoor noise across Graham 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 1,359 Graham residents, or 20.4%, live above that level. By land area, 14.8% of Graham is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in Graham compares to similar-sized cities.
Noise by Part of Graham
Average noise levels for Graham residents, grouped by direction from the center of Graham. The highest population-weighted average is in central Graham; the lowest is in southern Graham, where just 8% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a third of the share in the loudest section.
Central Graham
25% of people above 55 dBA
Northern Graham
16% of people above 55 dBA
Northeastern Graham
14% of people above 55 dBA
Northwestern Graham
12% of people above 55 dBA
Southern Graham
8% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in central Graham sounds about 77% louder than in southern Graham, a 8.2 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 67 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 Graham sits under tree canopy (much lighter than most cities) and roughly 33% 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.