The PM 2.5 indicator is a measure of potential exposure to inhalable particles that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller. This is measured in terms of annual average concentration in air measured in micrograms per cubic meter. PM 2.5 information included in EJScreen highlights areas across the U.S. that are not meeting the national ambient air quality standard for PM 2.5. In other words, the levels of PM 2.5 present in these areas are deemed harmful to human health. The PM 2.5 indicator in EJScreen is a measure of potential exposure but not a measure of risk. The raw PM 2.5 data is compiled by census tract which is supplied for use in the tool by EPA’s OAQPS. For air toxics risk measures (as opposed to exposure) users can turn to EJScreen’s other three indicators: cancer risk, respiratory HI, and diesel PM.
Housing + Transportation Affordability Index (H+T Index) – Transportation Costs for the Regional Typical Household
This updated dataset reports the percent of income for transportation costs at the county level for the Regional Moderate Household. Data were obtained from the Center for Neighborhood Technology’s Housing + Transportation Affordability Index (H+T Index).
Population Living in Rural Areas
This layer displays percent of population living in rural areas as of 2020. This data was released as part of the decennial census in April 2020. Learn more about this dataset at Census.gov.
Population Living in Urban Areas
This layer displays percent of population living in urban areas as of 2020. Urban areas are identified using population density, count, and size thresholds. This data was released as part of the decennial census in April 2020. Learn more about this dataset at Census.gov.
Vacant Housing Units
This layer displays information from the US 2020 Decennial Census, which provides vacant housing units for all geographic areas. A vacant Housing Unit is when no one is living in it at the time of the interview, unless its occupants are only temporarily absent. This data was released as part of the decennial census in April 2020. Learn more about this dataset at Census.gov.
Air Quality – Ozone Levels (O3) by Census Tract, 2019
This layer displays the daily average concentration of ozone and the percentage of days with concentrations of ozone above the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 0.075 parts per million in 2019.
Income from Transfer Payments
Layer displays information about personal income from transfer payments from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Local Area Personal Income data series. In personal income, transfer receipts are benefits received by persons for which no current services are performed. They are payments by government and business to individuals and non-profit institutions. Specifically, transfer payment income encompasses all receipts from:
- Retirement and disability;
- Medical benefits;
- Income maintenance benefits (SSI, EITC, SNAP, etc.);
- Unemployment;
- Veterans’ benefits;
- Education and training assistance;
- Other government benefits;
- Payments from businesses
For more information, please see the Local Area Personal Income Methodology.
Uninsured Population by County
Layer displays information about the insurance status of the population age 0-64. The data are from the 2021 Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, released by the US Census Bureau in August, 2023.
Federal Broadband Funding Project Areas
This layer shows the project areas for Federal Broadband Funding projects.
Assisted Housing Resident Characteristics, HUD
This layer displays information about public housing unit residents who are disabled, single parents, or elderly. Data are available in percentage and total number. Additional measures are available which show public housing and housing choice vouchers, and can also displayed by county or by unit.