This map shows modeled outdoor noise across Smith Mills 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 1,907 Smith Mills residents, or 42.3%, live above that level. By land area, 50.9% of Smith Mills is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in Smith Mills compares to similar-sized cities.
Noise by Part of Smith Mills
Average noise levels for Smith Mills residents, grouped by direction from the center of Smith Mills. The highest population-weighted average is in northwestern Smith Mills; the lowest is in southeastern Smith Mills, where just 18% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, about two-thirds of the share in the loudest section.
Northwestern Smith Mills
32% of people above 55 dBA
Western Smith Mills
30% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern Smith Mills
36% of people above 55 dBA
Northeastern Smith Mills
33% of people above 55 dBA
Southeastern Smith Mills
18% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in northwestern Smith Mills sounds about 53% louder than in southeastern Smith Mills, a 6.1 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 I-195 do you need to be?
I-195 produces an estimated 76 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 quiet suburban street at night.
Calculated from the model's calibrated attenuation formula. About 44% of Smith Mills sits under tree canopy (heavier than most cities) and roughly 20% 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.