Detroit Air Quality in July
Across 2019–2025, Detroit's July air quality had a median AQI of 62 (Moderate) over 217 monitored days in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI area. 13.3% of July days (29 of 217) reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 67.7% of days. The cleanest July on record here was 2021 (median AQI 58, 1 day above 100) and the worst was 2020 (median 62, 7 days above 100, peak AQI 188).
- Good: 16.6%
- Moderate: 70.0%
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 11.5%
- Unhealthy or worse: 1.8%
Extra Protection for Detroit Homes
Air quality in Detroit is moderate (AQI 52), with fine particles (PM2.5) the main concern. A True-HEPA purifier gives sensitive groups — kids, seniors and anyone with asthma or allergies — cleaner air indoors on days like today.
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How is the air in Detroit in July?
Moderate on a typical day: median AQI 62 across 2019–2025, with 13.3% of July days above AQI 100. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main driver.
- ✓16.6% of July days were Good (AQI 0–50), 70.0% Moderate (51–100).
- ✓29 days of 217 reached AQI 101+; the July peak was 188.
- ✓Best July: 2021; worst July: 2020.
Frequently asked questions
What is the air quality like in Detroit in July?▾
Across 2019–2025, the median daily AQI in Detroit in July was 62 (Moderate). 16.6% of days were Good, 70.0% Moderate, and 13.3% reached Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups or worse, based on 217 monitored days in EPA's Air Quality System.
Is July a good time for outdoor exercise in Detroit?▾
A typical July day in Detroit is Moderate (median AQI 62): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 8 of July days (13.3%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
Which pollutant causes Detroit's July air quality problems?▾
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) set the daily AQI on 67.7% of July days in Detroit. The highest July AQI recorded in 2019–2025 was 188 (Unhealthy), in 2020.
Detroit July air quality, year by year
Detroit July air quality by year (Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI, EPA AQS daily AQI)
| Year | Days monitored | Median AQI | Days above 100 | Peak AQI | Main pollutant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 | 69 | 6 | 142 | PM2.5 |
| 2020worst | 31 | 62 | 7 | 188 | PM2.5 |
| 2021cleanest | 31 | 58 | 1 | 118 | PM2.5 |
| 2022 | 31 | 61 | 1 | 105 | PM2.5 |
| 2023 | 31 | 68 | 4 | 129 | PM2.5 |
| 2024 | 31 | 60 | 4 | 181 | O3 |
| 2025 | 31 | 65 | 6 | 166 | PM2.5 |
What July air means in Detroit
A typical July day in Detroit is Moderate (median AQI 62): outdoor exercise is acceptable for most people, but unusually sensitive individuals should watch for symptoms, and about 1 day in 8 of July days (13.3%) reached AQI 101+ — the level at which EPA advises people with asthma, children and older adults to shorten hard outdoor exertion.
July's median AQI of 62 is above Detroit's whole-year median of 58, making it one of the area's dirtier periods. Nationally, the median July AQI across every EPA metro area (103,858 metro-days, 2019–2025) is 47, so Detroit runs above the national July norm; 13.3% of its July days topped AQI 100 versus 3.6% nationally (above average).
July is part of Detroit's summer season (June, July, August); the summer page pools all three months.
Activity-specific thresholds: running, cycling, kids' sports.
Right now in Detroit
The latest EPA AirNow observation puts Detroit's AQI at 52 (PM2.5). The figures above are multi-year month statistics, not today's reading.
View current Detroit air quality →Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) pre-generated Daily AQI by CBSA files — daily AQI by CBSA (Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI), 2019–2025. Daily AQI per CBSA is the highest AQI reported by any monitor in the area that day; the defining parameter is the pollutant that set it. Month and season statistics pool every such day in the period across all years listed. Retrieved 2026-09-09.