This map shows modeled outdoor noise across Karnes City 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 478 Karnes City residents, or 22.6%, live above that level. By land area, 24.9% of Karnes City is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in Karnes City compares to similar-sized cities.
Noise by Part of Karnes City
Average noise levels for Karnes City residents, grouped by direction from the center of Karnes City. The highest population-weighted average is in northeastern Karnes City; the lowest is in western Karnes City, where just 0% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a fifth of the share in the loudest section.
Northeastern Karnes City
19% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern Karnes City
18% of people above 55 dBA
Southeastern Karnes City
2% of people above 55 dBA
Central Karnes City
0% of people above 55 dBA
Western Karnes City
0% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in northeastern Karnes City sounds about 99% louder than in western Karnes City, a 9.9 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 68 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 2% of Karnes City sits under tree canopy (much lighter than most cities) and roughly 25% 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.