This map shows modeled outdoor noise across Silver Lake 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 939 Silver Lake residents, or 39.9%, live above that level. By land area, 39.6% of Silver Lake is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in Silver Lake compares to similar-sized cities.
Noise by Part of Silver Lake
Average noise levels for Silver Lake residents, grouped by direction from the center of Silver Lake. The highest population-weighted average is in northern Silver Lake; the lowest is in northeastern Silver Lake, where just 18% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, roughly the same as the share in the loudest section.
Northern Silver Lake
19% of people above 55 dBA
Central Silver Lake
26% of people above 55 dBA
Southwestern Silver Lake
62% of people above 55 dBA
Southern Silver Lake
28% of people above 55 dBA
Northeastern Silver Lake
18% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in northern Silver Lake sounds about 64% louder than in northeastern Silver Lake, a 7.1 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 Silver Lake Blvd do you need to be?
Silver Lake Blvd 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 39% of Silver Lake sits under tree canopy (about average for cities) and roughly 18% 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.