This map shows modeled outdoor noise across Newton 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 142 Newton residents, or 6.5%, live above that level. By land area, 8.2% of Newton is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in Newton compares to similar-sized cities.
Noise by Part of Newton
Average noise levels for Newton residents, grouped by direction from the center of Newton. The highest population-weighted average is in western Newton; the lowest is in northeastern Newton, where just 1% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a fifth of the share in the loudest section.
Western Newton
6% of people above 55 dBA
Southwestern Newton
3% of people above 55 dBA
Southern Newton
2% of people above 55 dBA
Northeastern Newton
1% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in western Newton sounds about 47% louder than in northeastern Newton, a 5.6 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 Almadane Cemetery Rd do you need to be?
Almadane Cemetery Rd produces an estimated 53 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 58% of Newton sits under tree canopy (heavier than most cities) and roughly 4% 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.