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Located in Riverside County, California, Jurupa Valley has a population of 108,631 as of 2025. The city's air quality has been a cause for concern, with reports of industrial pollution and contaminated soil. In 2022, it was revealed that California had stored 500,000 pounds of contaminated soil in Jurupa Valley, leading to environmental justice issues and concerns about the health impacts on residents. The city's air quality index (AQI) has shown fluctuations, with the dominant pollutant being PM2.5 particles, which can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system. While the AQI levels are generally considered good or moderate, the PM2.5 concentration exceeds the World Health Organization's annual guideline value.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 108,631 |
| Annual growth rate | 0.61% |
| Average household income | $114,652 |
| Poverty rate | 11.59% |
| Median age | 33.8 years |
| Median household income | $96,190 |
| Per capita income | $45,776 |
| Racial composition | 42.37% other, 31.19% White, 5.02% Asian, 3.85% Black, and smaller percentages of Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and multiracial populations |
| Dominant pollutant | PM2.5 |
| AQI on 2025-04-05 at 8:09:52 AM | 42 (Good) |
| Best AQI in the last 24 hours | 23 (Good) at 12:09 AM |
| Worst AQI in the last 24 hours | 53 (Moderate) at 11:09 AM, Apr 4, 2025 |
| Current trend of AQI levels | Fluctuating |
| O₃ concentration | 82 µg/m³ |
| PM2.5 concentration | 1.1 times the World Health Organization's annual guideline value |
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What You'll Learn
- The air quality in Jurupa Valley is currently good, with an AQI of 42
- The dominant pollutant in Jurupa Valley is PM2.5, which can irritate the eyes, nose and respiratory system
- The city of Jurupa Valley has a population of 108,631 people
- The poverty rate in Jurupa Valley is 11.59%
- The Exide battery recycling facility has caused lead and arsenic contamination in Jurupa Valley
The air quality in Jurupa Valley is currently good, with an AQI of 42
The air quality in Jurupa Valley, California is currently good, with an AQI of 42. This is a positive update for the city, which has faced issues with air pollution in the past.
Located in Riverside County, Jurupa Valley has a population of over 100,000 people. The city's air quality is important to its residents, especially as poor air quality can have significant health impacts. Particle pollution, for example, can increase the risk of lung cancer, cause heart attacks and strokes, and harm lung development in children.
While the current AQI of 42 indicates good air quality, it is important to recognise that the air quality in Jurupa Valley can fluctuate. For instance, on April 4, 2025, the AQI level reached a high of 53, which is considered moderate. Additionally, the city has faced challenges with industrial pollution, particularly from a former battery recycling facility that released harmful pollutants into the air, soil, and water. This resulted in contamination that required a costly cleanup.
Despite these past issues, the current good air quality in Jurupa Valley means that residents can enjoy outdoor activities without concern. It is beneficial for individuals to stay informed about their local air quality and take appropriate precautions when necessary.
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The dominant pollutant in Jurupa Valley is PM2.5, which can irritate the eyes, nose and respiratory system
Jurupa Valley, a city in Riverside County, California, has a population of over 100,000 people. The city's air quality is impacted by various factors, and it has been the subject of environmental concerns. While the real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in Jurupa Valley are often within the "'good'" range, indicating low risk and the freedom to enjoy outdoor activities, the city has faced challenges with industrial pollution.
The dominant pollutant in Jurupa Valley is PM2.5, which is made up of tiny particles that can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system. These particles are so small that they can bypass the body's natural defences when inhaled. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 can aggravate heart and lung disease and contribute to an increased risk of early death, heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory issues.
PM2.5 concentrations in Jurupa Valley have reached levels that exceed the World Health Organization's annual guideline values. These particles contribute to reduced visibility and a hazy appearance in the air when levels are elevated. The sources of PM2.5 pollution in Jurupa Valley may vary and can include a range of industrial and human activities.
One significant issue in Jurupa Valley was the contamination caused by the Exide battery recycling facility, which released pollutants into the air, soil, and water for decades. This resulted in the storage of approximately 500,000 pounds of contaminated soil in the area. The cleanup process has been lengthy and expensive, with the state agency working to balance the costs while ensuring the health and safety of the community.
To address the issue of air pollution in Jurupa Valley, residents can take proactive measures such as monitoring air quality and opting for environmentally friendly modes of transportation, like biking to work. Additionally, organizations like Prana Air offer pollution monitoring solutions and fresh air initiatives for various establishments, including residential and commercial spaces, to help improve air quality in the region.
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The city of Jurupa Valley has a population of 108,631 people
The city of Jurupa Valley, California has a population of 108,631 people. It is located in Riverside County and is currently growing at a rate of 0.61% annually. The median age in Jurupa Valley is 33.8 years, with a median household income of $96,190 and a poverty rate of 11.59%.
In terms of air quality, Jurupa Valley has been affected by industrial pollution, particularly from the former Exide battery recycling facility in Vernon, a city located five miles south of downtown Los Angeles. Contamination from this facility led to the storage of 500,000 pounds of contaminated soil in Jurupa Valley, causing concern among residents and sparking legal battles.
Real-time air pollution data for Jurupa Valley shows that the Air Quality Index (AQI) levels have been fluctuating. On April 5, 2025, the AQI level was recorded as 42, which is considered "good." However, the AQI level had reached 53, considered "moderate," the previous day. The dominant pollutant in Jurupa Valley is often listed as PM2.5, which refers to tiny particles that can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system and have negative health effects with long-term exposure.
While the air quality in Jurupa Valley may not consistently rank among the worst in the nation, it is important to recognize that any level of air pollution can pose health risks to vulnerable individuals, including children, older adults, and people with lung diseases. Therefore, residents of Jurupa Valley are encouraged to stay informed about the air quality forecast and take necessary precautions to protect their health.
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The poverty rate in Jurupa Valley is 11.59%
The poverty rate in Jurupa Valley, California is 11.59%. The city has a population of 108,631 people and an average household income of $114,652. The median age in Jurupa Valley is 33.8 years, with a median household income of $96,190. The average per capita income is $45,776.
While I cannot confirm if Jurupa Valley is one of the most polluted cities, it does have a history of industrial pollution. In 2022, it was revealed that California had stored 500,000 pounds of contaminated soil in the city, causing lead and arsenic contamination. This was due to the former Exide battery recycling facility in Vernon, located five miles south of downtown Los Angeles. The contamination affected the community of Glen Avon, with residents expressing distrust of state officials for their lack of transparency.
The air quality in Jurupa Valley varies, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging from 23 to 53 in a 24-hour period in April 2025. The dominant pollutant in the city is PM2.5, which consists of tiny particles that can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 can aggravate heart and lung diseases. The PM2.5 concentration in Jurupa Valley has been reported to be 1.1 times the World Health Organization's annual guideline value.
Despite the presence of industrial pollution and varying air quality, the city's AQI levels are generally considered good, and air pollution poses little to no risk to residents. However, it is always important for individuals to stay informed about the air quality in their area and take necessary precautions to protect their health.
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The Exide battery recycling facility has caused lead and arsenic contamination in Jurupa Valley
The Exide battery recycling facility in Vernon, California, has been a source of lead and arsenic contamination in Jurupa Valley. Exide Technologies, the owner of the plant, agreed to close the facility in 2015 due to the massive cleanup of contaminated soil that will cost hundreds of millions of dollars. The plant had emitted toxic metal dust over decades, affecting as many as 10,000 homes in nearby communities. Lead is a harmful neurotoxin that can cause cognitive deficits, neurodevelopmental delays, and psychological impairments, especially in children.
Exide's battery recycling plant had a long history of environmental issues. The company acquired the plant in 2000 and filed for bankruptcy in 2020, resolving it through a federal court settlement. Prior to its acquisition, the plant had been cited as early as 1944 for releasing "poisonous, noxious" emissions. Exide itself was investigated in 2013 for emitting high levels of harmful pollutants, with hundreds of residents complaining about the toxic emissions for years before state and federal agencies took action.
The contamination resulting from the Exide plant extends beyond residential yards, with parkways and strips of land between sidewalks and streets also impacted. In 2018, county health officials traced a child's poisoning to leaded soil tracked into a home from a nearby parkway, underscoring the ongoing dangers. Researchers at USC and Occidental College tested soil samples from remediated homes and found that many still exceeded state health standards, indicating a failure in California's largest and most expensive environmental cleanup efforts.
The cleanup process has been slow and challenging. In 2019, Exide began decontaminating and deconstructing the westernmost building, known as Segment 1, where used batteries were recycled and raw materials were stored. Work on the easternmost building, Segment 2, which housed the blast furnace and lead smelting equipment, was halted in 2020 but later resumed by the Vernon Environmental Response Trust. The center building, Segment 3, containing the facility's air pollution control equipment, was completed in March 2022. The overall decommissioning process, led by the EPA and DTSC, aims to protect the community and ensure proper decontamination and deconstruction of the site.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Jurupa Valley is not one of the most polluted cities. The air quality in the city is currently good, and air pollution poses little to no risk to the residents.
The main source of pollution in Jurupa Valley is the nearby Exide battery recycling facility, which has released pollutants into the air, soil, and water for decades.
The pollution from the Exide battery recycling facility has caused potentially life-threatening harm to the residents of Jurupa Valley, including those in the nearby community of Glen Avon. The pollution includes lead and arsenic contamination, as well as other toxic chemicals.
Efforts are being made to clean up the pollution in Jurupa Valley. The state agency has secured $114 million for the cleanup process, and the city's mayor, Chris Barajas, has demanded that the contaminated soil samples be moved elsewhere.
