Long run air pollution in United States
United States: Long run air pollution was 9.00 million in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
9.00 million
Change on year
up 0.2%
World rank
3rd
of 220 countries
All-time high
29.32 million
in 1979
All-time low
2,731
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Long run air pollution in United States, 1750–2022
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2022, long run air pollution in United States stood at 9.00 million.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.2% on the previous year and down 31.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, long run air pollution in United States peaked at 29.32 million in 1979 and was at its lowest, 2,731, in 1750.
United States ranks 3rd of 220 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Long run air pollution in United States, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 2,731 | — |
| 1751 | 2,778 | +1.7% |
| 1752 | 2,826 | +1.7% |
| 1753 | 2,874 | +1.7% |
| 1754 | 2,921 | +1.7% |
| 1755 | 2,969 | +1.6% |
| 1756 | 3,016 | +1.6% |
| 1757 | 3,064 | +1.6% |
| 1758 | 3,111 | +1.5% |
| 1759 | 3,159 | +1.5% |
| 1760 | 3,206 | +1.5% |
| 1761 | 3,265 | +1.8% |
| 1762 | 3,323 | +1.8% |
| 1763 | 3,381 | +1.8% |
| 1764 | 3,440 | +1.7% |
| 1765 | 3,498 | +1.7% |
| 1766 | 3,556 | +1.7% |
| 1767 | 3,614 | +1.6% |
| 1768 | 3,673 | +1.6% |
| 1769 | 3,731 | +1.6% |
| 1770 | 3,789 | +1.6% |
| 1771 | 3,861 | +1.9% |
| 1772 | 3,933 | +1.9% |
| 1773 | 4,005 | +1.8% |
| 1774 | 4,078 | +1.8% |
| 1775 | 4,150 | +1.8% |
| 1776 | 4,222 | +1.7% |
| 1777 | 4,294 | +1.7% |
| 1778 | 4,366 | +1.7% |
| 1779 | 4,438 | +1.6% |
| 1780 | 4,509 | +1.6% |
| 1781 | 4,600 | +2.0% |
| 1782 | 4,690 | +2.0% |
| 1783 | 4,780 | +1.9% |
| 1784 | 4,870 | +1.9% |
| 1785 | 4,960 | +1.8% |
| 1786 | 5,050 | +1.8% |
| 1787 | 5,140 | +1.8% |
| 1788 | 5,230 | +1.7% |
| 1789 | 5,319 | +1.7% |
| 1790 | 5,409 | +1.7% |
| 1791 | 5,590 | +3.4% |
| 1792 | 5,772 | +3.2% |
| 1793 | 5,953 | +3.1% |
| 1794 | 6,133 | +3.0% |
| 1795 | 6,314 | +2.9% |
| 1796 | 6,494 | +2.9% |
| 1797 | 6,674 | +2.8% |
| 1798 | 6,854 | +2.7% |
| 1799 | 7,034 | +2.6% |
| 1800 | 7,527 | +7.0% |
| 1801 | 7,795 | +3.6% |
| 1802 | 8,071 | +3.5% |
| 1803 | 8,329 | +3.2% |
| 1804 | 8,624 | +3.5% |
| 1805 | 8,882 | +3.0% |
| 1806 | 9,121 | +2.7% |
| 1807 | 9,425 | +3.3% |
| 1808 | 9,692 | +2.8% |
| 1809 | 9,954 | +2.7% |
| 1810 | 10,259 | +3.1% |
| 1811 | 10,619 | +3.5% |
| 1812 | 10,988 | +3.5% |
| 1813 | 11,358 | +3.4% |
| 1814 | 11,733 | +3.3% |
| 1815 | 12,108 | +3.2% |
| 1816 | 12,511 | +3.3% |
| 1817 | 12,906 | +3.2% |
| 1818 | 13,310 | +3.1% |
| 1819 | 13,613 | +2.3% |
| 1820 | 13,976 | +2.7% |
| 1821 | 14,457 | +3.4% |
| 1822 | 14,938 | +3.3% |
| 1823 | 15,418 | +3.2% |
| 1824 | 15,996 | +3.7% |
| 1825 | 16,583 | +3.7% |
| 1826 | 17,244 | +4.0% |
| 1827 | 17,844 | +3.5% |
| 1828 | 18,463 | +3.5% |
| 1829 | 19,150 | +3.7% |
| 1830 | 19,961 | +4.2% |
| 1831 | 20,750 | +4.0% |
| 1832 | 22,268 | +7.3% |
| 1833 | 23,465 | +5.4% |
| 1834 | 23,831 | +1.6% |
| 1835 | 25,574 | +7.3% |
| 1836 | 26,654 | +4.2% |
| 1837 | 27,939 | +4.8% |
| 1838 | 28,138 | +0.7% |
| 1839 | 29,310 | +4.2% |
| 1840 | 30,313 | +3.4% |
| 1841 | 31,445 | +3.7% |
| 1842 | 33,039 | +5.1% |
| 1843 | 34,841 | +5.5% |
| 1844 | 37,532 | +7.7% |
| 1845 | 40,677 | +8.4% |
| 1846 | 43,318 | +6.5% |
| 1847 | 47,051 | +8.6% |
| 1848 | 49,955 | +6.2% |
| 1849 | 52,500 | +5.1% |
| 1850 | 55,402 | +5.5% |
| 1851 | 62,171 | +12.2% |
| 1852 | 65,464 | +5.3% |
| 1853 | 70,247 | +7.3% |
| 1854 | 74,509 | +6.1% |
| 1855 | 81,202 | +9.0% |
| 1856 | 82,710 | +1.9% |
| 1857 | 83,086 | +0.5% |
| 1858 | 82,916 | -0.2% |
| 1859 | 86,020 | +3.7% |
| 1860 | 89,392 | +3.9% |
| 1861 | 93,928 | +5.1% |
| 1862 | 99,163 | +5.6% |
| 1863 | 103,417 | +4.3% |
| 1864 | 103,800 | +0.4% |
| 1865 | 104,625 | +0.8% |
| 1866 | 111,122 | +6.2% |
| 1867 | 123,602 | +11.2% |
| 1868 | 135,032 | +9.2% |
| 1869 | 149,583 | +10.8% |
| 1870 | 159,309 | +6.5% |
| 1871 | 164,151 | +3.0% |
| 1872 | 191,729 | +16.8% |
| 1873 | 221,817 | +15.7% |
| 1874 | 223,494 | +0.8% |
| 1875 | 216,063 | -3.3% |
| 1876 | 217,043 | +0.5% |
| 1877 | 253,348 | +16.7% |
| 1878 | 262,551 | +3.6% |
| 1879 | 318,034 | +21.1% |
| 1880 | 372,487 | +17.1% |
| 1881 | 392,342 | +5.3% |
| 1882 | 433,575 | +10.5% |
| 1883 | 426,056 | -1.7% |
| 1884 | 448,162 | +5.2% |
| 1885 | 457,217 | +2.0% |
| 1886 | 525,175 | +14.9% |
| 1887 | 572,427 | +9.0% |
| 1888 | 674,462 | +17.8% |
| 1889 | 645,688 | -4.3% |
| 1890 | 770,181 | +19.3% |
| 1891 | 826,260 | +7.3% |
| 1892 | 833,361 | +0.9% |
| 1893 | 828,327 | -0.6% |
| 1894 | 796,828 | -3.8% |
| 1895 | 882,859 | +10.8% |
| 1896 | 924,488 | +4.7% |
| 1897 | 953,148 | +3.1% |
| 1898 | 998,528 | +4.8% |
| 1899 | 1.12 million | +12.4% |
| 1900 | 1.21 million | +7.4% |
| 1901 | 1.34 million | +10.9% |
| 1902 | 1.51 million | +12.7% |
| 1903 | 1.76 million | +17.0% |
| 1904 | 1.86 million | +5.2% |
| 1905 | 2.12 million | +14.4% |
| 1906 | 2.18 million | +2.6% |
| 1907 | 2.63 million | +20.5% |
| 1908 | 2.49 million | -5.3% |
| 1909 | 2.71 million | +9.0% |
| 1910 | 3.02 million | +11.3% |
| 1911 | 3.06 million | +1.5% |
| 1912 | 3.23 million | +5.5% |
| 1913 | 3.61 million | +11.6% |
| 1914 | 3.53 million | -2.1% |
| 1915 | 3.71 million | +5.0% |
| 1916 | 4.15 million | +11.7% |
| 1917 | 4.57 million | +10.3% |
| 1918 | 4.84 million | +5.8% |
| 1919 | 4.70 million | -2.8% |
| 1920 | 5.76 million | +22.4% |
| 1921 | 5.43 million | -5.7% |
| 1922 | 5.91 million | +8.9% |
| 1923 | 7.29 million | +23.3% |
| 1924 | 6.90 million | -5.3% |
| 1925 | 7.17 million | +3.8% |
| 1926 | 7.54 million | +5.1% |
| 1927 | 8.18 million | +8.6% |
| 1928 | 8.33 million | +1.8% |
| 1929 | 9.18 million | +10.3% |
| 1930 | 8.26 million | -10.0% |
| 1931 | 7.47 million | -9.6% |
| 1932 | 6.73 million | -9.9% |
| 1933 | 7.33 million | +9.0% |
| 1934 | 7.54 million | +2.9% |
| 1935 | 8.04 million | +6.6% |
| 1936 | 8.99 million | +11.8% |
| 1937 | 9.95 million | +10.7% |
| 1938 | 9.06 million | -8.9% |
| 1939 | 9.68 million | +6.8% |
| 1940 | 10.66 million | +10.1% |
| 1941 | 11.31 million | +6.1% |
| 1942 | 11.33 million | +0.2% |
| 1943 | 12.02 million | +6.1% |
| 1944 | 13.31 million | +10.7% |
| 1945 | 13.38 million | +0.6% |
| 1946 | 13.16 million | -1.6% |
| 1947 | 14.13 million | +7.4% |
| 1948 | 15.08 million | +6.7% |
| 1949 | 13.07 million | -13.3% |
| 1950 | 14.09 million | +7.8% |
| 1951 | 15.01 million | +6.5% |
| 1952 | 15.23 million | +1.5% |
| 1953 | 15.68 million | +3.0% |
| 1954 | 15.52 million | -1.0% |
| 1955 | 16.65 million | +7.3% |
| 1956 | 17.04 million | +2.3% |
| 1957 | 16.65 million | -2.3% |
| 1958 | 16.63 million | -0.1% |
| 1959 | 16.97 million | +2.1% |
| 1960 | 18.42 million | +8.5% |
| 1961 | 18.55 million | +0.7% |
| 1962 | 19.23 million | +3.7% |
| 1963 | 20.08 million | +4.4% |
| 1964 | 20.96 million | +4.4% |
| 1965 | 21.66 million | +3.3% |
| 1966 | 22.83 million | +5.4% |
| 1967 | 23.72 million | +3.9% |
| 1968 | 25.33 million | +6.8% |
| 1969 | 26.15 million | +3.2% |
| 1970 | 26.63 million | +1.8% |
| 1971 | 26.80 million | +0.6% |
| 1972 | 27.75 million | +3.5% |
| 1973 | 28.80 million | +3.8% |
| 1974 | 27.48 million | -4.6% |
| 1975 | 26.30 million | -4.3% |
| 1976 | 27.84 million | +5.9% |
| 1977 | 28.90 million | +3.8% |
| 1978 | 29.08 million | +0.6% |
| 1979 | 29.32 million | +0.8% |
| 1980 | 28.25 million | -3.7% |
| 1981 | 27.36 million | -3.1% |
| 1982 | 25.50 million | -6.8% |
| 1983 | 25.13 million | -1.4% |
| 1984 | 26.01 million | +3.5% |
| 1985 | 25.81 million | -0.8% |
| 1986 | 25.44 million | -1.4% |
| 1987 | 25.82 million | +1.5% |
| 1988 | 26.59 million | +3.0% |
| 1989 | 26.47 million | -0.5% |
| 1990 | 26.45 million | -0.1% |
| 1991 | 26.24 million | -0.8% |
| 1992 | 26.52 million | +1.1% |
| 1993 | 25.92 million | -2.2% |
| 1994 | 25.60 million | -1.2% |
| 1995 | 25.52 million | -0.3% |
| 1996 | 25.03 million | -1.9% |
| 1997 | 24.65 million | -1.5% |
| 1998 | 24.15 million | -2.0% |
| 1999 | 23.05 million | -4.6% |
| 2000 | 23.18 million | +0.6% |
| 2001 | 21.33 million | -8.0% |
| 2002 | 20.67 million | -3.1% |
| 2003 | 19.82 million | -4.1% |
| 2004 | 19.51 million | -1.6% |
| 2005 | 19.47 million | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 18.72 million | -3.8% |
| 2007 | 18.41 million | -1.7% |
| 2008 | 16.89 million | -8.2% |
| 2009 | 14.69 million | -13.1% |
| 2010 | 14.59 million | -0.7% |
| 2011 | 14.46 million | -0.9% |
| 2012 | 13.10 million | -9.4% |
| 2013 | 12.74 million | -2.7% |
| 2014 | 12.12 million | -4.9% |
| 2015 | 11.58 million | -4.4% |
| 2016 | 11.32 million | -2.3% |
| 2017 | 10.97 million | -3.1% |
| 2018 | 10.55 million | -3.8% |
| 2019 | 10.20 million | -3.4% |
| 2020 | 8.50 million | -16.7% |
| 2021 | 8.98 million | +5.7% |
| 2022 | 9.00 million | +0.2% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 9.00 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 90,409, 99.6× the median. (78 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 2,945 | 2,731 | 3,159 | 10 |
| 1760s | 3,469 | 3,206 | 3,731 | 10 |
| 1770s | 4,113 | 3,789 | 4,438 | 10 |
| 1780s | 4,915 | 4,509 | 5,319 | 10 |
| 1790s | 6,223 | 5,409 | 7,034 | 10 |
| 1800s | 8,742 | 7,527 | 9,954 | 10 |
| 1810s | 11,940 | 10,259 | 13,613 | 10 |
| 1820s | 16,407 | 13,976 | 19,150 | 10 |
| 1830s | 24,789 | 19,961 | 29,310 | 10 |
| 1840s | 40,067 | 30,313 | 52,500 | 10 |
| 1850s | 74,373 | 55,402 | 86,020 | 10 |
| 1860s | 111,366 | 89,392 | 149,583 | 10 |
| 1870s | 222,754 | 159,309 | 318,034 | 10 |
| 1880s | 494,759 | 372,487 | 674,462 | 10 |
| 1890s | 893,667 | 770,181 | 1.12 million | 10 |
| 1900s | 1.98 million | 1.21 million | 2.71 million | 10 |
| 1910s | 3.84 million | 3.02 million | 4.84 million | 10 |
| 1920s | 7.17 million | 5.43 million | 9.18 million | 10 |
| 1930s | 8.30 million | 6.73 million | 9.95 million | 10 |
| 1940s | 12.74 million | 10.66 million | 15.08 million | 10 |
| 1950s | 15.95 million | 14.09 million | 17.04 million | 10 |
| 1960s | 21.69 million | 18.42 million | 26.15 million | 10 |
| 1970s | 27.89 million | 26.30 million | 29.32 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 26.24 million | 25.13 million | 28.25 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 25.31 million | 23.05 million | 26.52 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 19.27 million | 14.69 million | 23.18 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 12.16 million | 10.20 million | 14.59 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 8.83 million | 8.50 million | 9.00 million | 3 |
Countries ranked near United States
More environment data for United States
- Grazing land use over the long-term, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Grazing land use over the long-term, per unit of GDP 0 hectares per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Grazing land use over the long-term, per capita 0.7539 hectares per person (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -2.64 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -2.16 Percentage change (2025)
- Grazing land use over the long-term, per square kilometre 28.17 hectares per square kilometre (2024)
- Sawnwood, coniferous — Production, annual growth rate -1.39 % change on previous year (2024)
- Wood-based panels — Production, annual growth rate 3.36 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.3672 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is long run air pollution in United States?
- Long run air pollution in United States was 9.00 million in 2022, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest long run air pollution recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 29.32 million in 1979.
- What is the lowest long run air pollution recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,731 in 1750.
- How does United States rank for long run air pollution?
- United States ranks 3rd out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is long run air pollution rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 31.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Long run air pollution. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 273 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).