This map shows modeled outdoor noise across South Salem 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 277 South Salem residents, or 4.3%, live above that level. By land area, 5.2% of South Salem is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in South Salem compares to similar-sized cities.
Noise by Part of South Salem
Average noise levels for South Salem residents, grouped by direction from the center of South Salem. The highest population-weighted average is in northern South Salem; the lowest is in southern South Salem, where just 2% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, about two-thirds of the share in the loudest section.
Northern South Salem
4% of people above 55 dBA
Northwestern South Salem
4% of people above 55 dBA
Southeastern South Salem
4% of people above 55 dBA
Southern South Salem
2% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in northern South Salem sounds about 14% louder than in southern South Salem, a 1.9 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 Oscaleta Rd do you need to be?
Oscaleta Rd produces an estimated 56 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 75% of South Salem sits under tree canopy (much 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.