This map shows modeled outdoor noise across Harbor 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 972 Harbor residents, or 29.8%, live above that level. By land area, 29.5% of Harbor is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in Harbor compares to similar-sized neighborhoods.
Noise by Part of Harbor
Average noise levels for Harbor residents, grouped by direction from the center of Harbor. The highest population-weighted average is in western Harbor; the lowest is in northeastern Harbor, where just 14% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, roughly the same as the share in the loudest section.
Western Harbor
7% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern Harbor
35% of people above 55 dBA
Central Harbor
26% of people above 55 dBA
Southeastern Harbor
35% of people above 55 dBA
Northeastern Harbor
14% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in western Harbor sounds about 95% louder than in northeastern Harbor, a 9.6 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 W 13TH St do you need to be?
W 13TH St produces an estimated 55 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 28% of Harbor sits under tree canopy (heavier than most neighborhoods) and roughly 24% 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.