This map shows modeled outdoor noise across South Toms River 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 627 South Toms River residents, or 22.5%, live above that level. By land area, 31.5% of South Toms River is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in South Toms River compares to similar-sized cities.
Noise by Part of South Toms River
Average noise levels for South Toms River residents, grouped by direction from the center of South Toms River. The highest population-weighted average is in northwestern South Toms River; the lowest is in southwestern South Toms River, where just 8% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a third of the share in the loudest section.
Northwestern South Toms River
29% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern South Toms River
32% of people above 55 dBA
Western South Toms River
28% of people above 55 dBA
Central South Toms River
18% of people above 55 dBA
Southwestern South Toms River
8% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in northwestern South Toms River sounds about 158% louder than in southwestern South Toms River, a 13.7 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 Route 530 do you need to be?
Route 530 produces an estimated 60 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 30% of South Toms River sits under tree canopy (about average for cities) and roughly 41% 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.