Newark, NJ Noise Levels
Noise levels in Newark, NJ
BTS only publishes Newark, NJ in the 60-69.9 dB(A) band, which straddles HUD's own dividing line: depending on exactly where in that range the true 24-hour average falls, this reads as "Acceptable" (65 dB(A) or below) or "Normally Unacceptable" (65-75 dB(A)) under 24 CFR 51.104. The main source is rail traffic, well ahead of the other two modes BTS tracks. That's the reading at Newark's Census-defined center point, not any one street, BTS's map is a live raster, not a per-address service.
Where Newark's noise comes from
BTS models these three sources separately before combining them, so a place can be quiet on two and loud on the third.
If you're weighing a move to Newark
Depending on where in that band the true value sits, it may also clear FHWA's 66 dB(A) residential impact threshold (23 CFR 772, Table 1), the trigger highway agencies use for sound-wall decisions. The same window and door upgrades that work on road noise also cut broadband rail noise, though very low-frequency freight rumble travels through walls, not just glass.
How Newark compares nationally
Newark ranks 80 of 3,622 measured places nationally, 1 being the loudest this dataset covers. About 317,303 people live there, making it the 66th largest place in this dataset.
Checking one address in Newark
Newark's figure above is a town-wide reading. For one exact address, BTS's own map is the free, authoritative source.
Where Newark's figures come from
Every dB(A) figure on this page traces to a named BTS dataset, documented in the methodology guide. The guide to what actually cuts each kind of noise explains why rail traffic calls for a different fix than the other two sources.