The Laziest City in Each State

Americans appear to be exercising more and more every year. When surveyed about their exercise habits, 73% of Americans reported they engaged in physical activity during their leisure time. Of course, exercise habits vary widely from state to state, and even more so from city to city. In Beckley, the laziest city in West Virginia, just 64.0% of residents report regular physical activity. Meanwhile in Burlington, the laziest city in Vermont, 83.6% of residents exercise regularly.

Exercise is an important determinant of overall health. Mississippi — the state where residents report the lowest levels of physical activity — also has the highest obesity rate. The situation is reversed in Colorado, where the highest level of physical activity coincides with the lowest obesity rate in the country.

In an interview with 24/7 Wall St., Amanda Jovaag, data lead at the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, said, “I think there’s a general agreement that reporting that you have no leisure time physical activity is related to having a higher body mass index (BMI).” Other health risks are also associated with a lack of exercise. “Not getting your heart rate going at a higher level a few times a week or not doing muscle building exercises a few times a week results in greater incidence of heart disease, greater incidence of obesity, and diabetes,” Jovaag said.

Click here to see the laziest city in each state.

Exercise habits are related to a variety of factors. Two persistent variables, however, appear to be income and education. Areas where residents have higher incomes and higher levels of education frequently have higher levels of physical activity and better health outcomes overall. “Wealthier, more educated communities are more likely to be healthy,” Jovaag said. “That’s true pretty much in every society out there.”

For the most part, even the laziest cities are representative of their state’s behavior overall. However, there are exceptions. Arizona is a relatively active state — nearly 80% of adults in the state exercise regularly. However, in Lake Havasu, it’s least active city, just 69.3% of area adults report regular physical activity. The health of a population varies within the state, and the tendency to exercise comes down to the metro level.

To identify the laziest city in every state, 24/7 Wall St. analyzed the level of physical activity in each metro area in all 50 states. We reviewed the percentage of adults in every metro area who report engaging in no physical activity during their leisure time, with data from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. Obesity rate and days feeling physically unhealthy over a 30-day period also came from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. Educational attainment, median household income, and population data came from the American Community Survey.

These are the laziest cities in each state.

1. Alabama
> Laziest city: Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 66.8%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 70.6%
> Obesity rate: 31.5%
> City population: 117,714

Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville is the least active city in a fairly inactive state. In Alabama, 70.6% of residents report regular physical activity, significantly less than the 73.0% of Americans who do. Residents of Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville are even less active. In the state’s laziest metro area, 66.8% of residents get exercise regularly, the 9th lowest rate of any city nationwide.

Less active populations are more likely to be in worse physical health. In Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, however, residents are about as healthy as the rest of the state. Of all adults in the metro area, 31.5% are obese — roughly similar to Alabama’s 33.2% obesity rate, the 4th highest of any state. Adults in Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville are less healthy than Alabama adults in other measures as well. Adults in the metro area report feeling physically unhealthy for 5.2 days out of the last month on average, nearly a full day more than the statewide response of 4.3 days.

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2. Alaska
> Laziest city: Fairbanks
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 79.8%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 79.9%
> Obesity rate: 28.5%
> City population: 100,436

Nearly 80% of adults in Alaska engage in physical activity with some regularity. The situation is roughly the same in Fairbanks, the state’s least active metro area, where 79.8% of adults get regular exercise. The city and the state also share similar health outcomes. The obesity rate in Fairbanks is 28.5%, not much higher than Alaska’s 28.3% obesity rate. Healthy behaviors and outcomes in Alaska are fairly uniform across the state. Even in Anchorage — the only other metro area in the state and the least lazy by default — 81.0% of residents report physical activity and 27.9% are obese.

3. Arizona
> Laziest city: Lake Havasu City-Kingman
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 69.3%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 79.6%
> Obesity rate: 26.6%
> City population: 201,216

Arizona residents are more likely to exercise regularly than the average American. Nearly 80% of state residents report regular physical activity compared to the 73.0% of Americans who do. Residents of Lake Havasu City-Kingman, however, the state’s laziest metro area, are not as active. Just 69.3% of residents are physically active. Higher rates of physical activity tend to coincide with higher obesity rates. Among the metro area’s adults, 26.6% are obese, slightly higher than Arizona’s 23.9% obesity rate, but still well below the national rate of 28.3%. Adults in Lake Havasu City-Kingman are less healthy than Arizona adults in other health measure as well. Adults in the metro area felt physically unhealthy for 4.4 days out of the last month on average, 0.9 days more than the statewide response. The age of a population can also affect its activity levels, as the elderly are less likely to exercise regularly. In Lake Havasu City-Kingman, 27.0% of residents are 65 years or older, the 10th highest share nationwide.

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4. Arkansas
> Laziest city: Pine Bluff
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 64.2%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 69.5%
> Obesity rate: 37.8%
> City population: 99,688

In the Pine Bluff metro area, 64.2% of residents are physically active, the lowest percentage in Arkansas, where 69.5% of residents report regular physical activity, itself the third lowest of all states. Less active populations are more likely to be unhealthy, and Pine Bluff is no exception. As many as 37.8% of metro area adults are obese, higher than Arkansas’s 32.9% obesity rate, which is the fifth highest of any state. In other health measures, however, adults in Pine Bluff are about as healthy as Arkansas adults. When surveyed, adults in the metro area reported feeling physically unhealthy for four days per month on average, in line with the statewide survey responses. Populations with higher incomes are often more physically active, and vice versa. The typical Pine Bluff household makes just $33,838 annually, the lowest median income in the state.

5. California
> Laziest city: El Centro
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 76.9%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 83.2%
> Obesity rate: 22.1%
> City population: 173,487

El Centro is the least active city in a particularly active state. More than 83% of California adults report regular physical activity, a significantly larger share than the 73% of Americans who do and the fourth most active state in the country. While El Centro adults are not as active as statewide residents, they are still more active than Americans overall, with 76.9% of residents reporting regular physical activity. Less active populations are more likely to be in poor physical health. In El Centro, however, residents are about as healthy as the rest of the state. The metro area’s adult obesity rate is 22.1%, roughly in line with California’s 22.9% obesity rate.

6. Colorado
> Laziest city: Pueblo
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 81.2%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 84.8%
> Obesity rate: 26.5%
> City population: 159,072

Pueblo is the least active city in the most active state in the country. While only 73.0% of Americans exercise regularly, 84.8% of Colorado residents report regular physical activity. While Pueblo adults are not as active as statewide residents, they are still more active than Americans overall, with 81.2% of residents reporting regular physical activity. Less active populations are more likely to be in relatively worse health, and Pueblo is no exception. The metro area’s adult obesity rate of 26.5% is higher than Colorado’s obesity rate of 20.4%, which is the lowest of any state in the country. Also, adults in the metro area report feeling physically unhealthy for 4.2 days out of the last month on average, over one day more than the statewide average.

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7. Connecticut
> Laziest city: New Haven-Milford
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 75.9%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 78.3%
> Obesity rate: 26.9%
> City population: 860,995

Populations with lower incomes are often less physically active. This may partially explain the fitness habits among adults in the New Haven area, which have an annual median household income of $60,391, the lowest in the state. Even New Haven income levels, however, are still higher than the national median. Similarly, while New Haven-Milford adults are not as active as statewide residents, they are still more active than Americans overall, with 24.1% of residents reporting being physically inactive, compared to 27% of Americans. As is the case in many other areas that don’t exercise as much, the relatively poor exercise habits in New Haven-Milford may be part of relatively unhealthy lifestyles, which in turn often cause unhealthy weight gain. The metro area’s adult obesity rate of 26.9% is 2.5 percentage points higher than Connecticut’s 24.4% obesity rate. The area’s obesity rate, however, is still slightly lower than the national rate.

8. Delaware
> Laziest city: Dover
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 72.6%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 76.3%
> Obesity rate: 32.7%
> City population: 162,785

Dover is the only metro area in Delaware and is its most lazy by default. Roughly 28% of adults engage in no physical activity whatsoever, only slightly above the national rate of 27.0%. Nevertheless, Dover residents are deserving of their title as the laziest in the state — that rate is 3.7 percentage points higher than the state’s share of 23.7% of physically inactive adults.

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9. Florida
> Laziest city: Ocala
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 72.0%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 76.8% (25th highest)
> Obesity rate: 31.0%
> City population: 339,167

Ocala is the least active city in a fairly active state. In Florida, 76.8% of residents report regular physical activity, 3.8 percentage points more than the 73.0% who do nationwide. Residents of Ocala, however, are not as active. In the state’s laziest metro area, just 72.0% of residents exercise regularly.

Less active populations are more likely to be in worse physical health, and Ocala is no exception. Of all adults in the metro area, 31.0% are obese — more than 5 percentage points higher than Florida’s 25.8% obesity rate. Similarly, adults in the metro area report feeling physically unhealthy for 4.3 days out of the last month on average, over half a day more than the statewide response of 3.7 days.

10. Georgia
> Laziest city: Dalton
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 67.5%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 75.7%
> Obesity rate: 28.6%
> City population: 141,787

In Georgia, 75.7% of residents report regular physical activity, somewhat higher than the 73.0% of Americans who do. Residents of Dalton, however, are much less active. In the state’s laziest metro area, 67.5% of residents exercise regularly, one of the lowest rates of any metro area. Less active populations are more likely to be in worse physical health. Despite their lack of exercise, Dalton residents are about as healthy as the rest of the state. The obesity rate in Dalton is 28.6%, almost identical to Georgia’s 28.7% obesity rate. However, adults in Dalton are less healthy than Georgia adults in other health measures. Adults in the metro area report feeling physically unhealthy for 4.3 days out of the last month on average, close to a day more than the statewide response of 3.5 days.

11. Hawaii
> Laziest city: Urban Honolulu
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 81.7%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 81.8%
> Obesity rate: 22.1%
> City population: 964,678

Honolulu is the least active city in the sixth most active state in the country. Nearly 82% of Hawaiians report regular physical activity compared to the 73.0% of Americans who do. While adults in Urban Honolulu are not as active as statewide residents, they are still more active than Americans overall, with 81.7% of residents reporting physical activity. Less active populations are more likely to be out of shape. In Urban Honolulu, however, residents are about as fit as the rest of the state. Of all adults in the metro area, 22.1% are obese, a slightly smaller share than Hawaii’s 22.5% obesity rate. Populations with higher incomes are often more physically active, and vice versa. In Urban Honolulu, the typical household makes $74,634 annually. While this is significantly higher than typical American household income of $53,657, it is the second lowest median income in the state.

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12. Idaho
> Laziest city: Lewiston
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 77.7%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 80.5%
> Obesity rate: 30.7%
> City population: 60,884

In Idaho, more than four out of five residents report regular physical activity, a far higher share than the 73.0% of Americans who do, and the ninth highest of any state. While Lewiston adults exercise less than Idaho as a whole, they are still more active than Americans overall, with 77.7% of residents getting regular physical activity.

Populations that exercise less tend to be in worse physical health, and Lewiston is no exception. Of all adults in the metro area, 30.7% are obese, significantly higher than Idaho’s 27.3% obesity rate. Residents in areas with higher levels of education tend to exercise more, and vice versa. In Lewiston, just 21.3% of adults have at least a bachelor’s degree, the lowest share in the state.

13. Illinois
> Laziest city: Carbondale-Marion
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 72.5%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 77.1%
> Obesity rate: 33.2%
> City population: 126,661

In Carbondale-Marion, 72.5% of residents report regular physical activity, a smaller share than the 77.1% of Illinois residents who exercise regularly. Populations with higher incomes are often more physically active, and vice versa. In Carbondale-Marion, the typical household makes just $41,174 annually, the lowest median income in the state.

Less active populations are more likely to have higher obesity rates, and Carbondale-Marion is no exception. Of all adults in the metro area, 33.2% are obese, a slightly larger share than the state’s 27.3% obesity rate. Adults in Carbondale-Marion, however, are otherwise just as physically healthy as Illinois adults overall. When surveyed, adults in the metro area reported feeling physically unhealthy for 3.6 days out of the last month on average, roughly in line with the statewide response.

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14. Indiana
> Laziest city: Muncie
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 70.2%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 73.2%
> Obesity rate: 33.4%
> City population: 117,459

Muncie is the least active city in a fairly active state. In Indiana, 73.2% of residents report regular physical activity, 0.2 percentage points more than the 73.0% of Americans who do. Residents of Muncie, however, are not as active. In the state’s laziest metro area, 70.2% of residents are physically active. Less active populations are more likely to be physically fit, and Muncie is no exception. Of all adults in the metro area, 33.4% are obese. That is 2.1 percentage points higher than Indiana’s 31.3% obesity rate. Muncie adults rate worse than Indiana adults overall for other measures of health as well, including self-reported health. When surveyed, adults in the metro area said they felt physically unhealthy for 4.6 days out of the last month on average, one day more than the statewide response. Populations with higher incomes are often more physically active, and vice versa. In Muncie, the typical household makes just $39,323 annually, the lowest median income in the state.

15. Iowa
> Laziest city: Sioux City
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 73.0%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 75.7%
> Obesity rate: 32.8%
> City population: 143,176

Sioux City is the least active city in Iowa. Across the state, just over three-quarters residents report regular physical activity, slightly more than the 73.0% of Americans who do. Though Sioux City adults are not as active as adults statewide — with 73.0% of adults reporting regular exercise — they are still just as active as Americans overall.

Less active populations are more likely to have higher obesity rates, and Sioux City is no exception. Of all adults in the metro area, 32.8% are obese, a slightly larger share than Iowa’s obesity rate of 29.9%. Populations with higher levels of education are often more physically active, and vice versa. In Sioux City, just 21.1% of adults have a bachelor’s degree, the smallest share in the state.

16. Kansas
> Laziest city: Wichita
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 75.1%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 75.9%
> Obesity rate: 30.3%
> City population: 621,281

Wichita adults are not as active as statewide residents, but they are still more active than Americans overall, with 75.1% of residents reporting being physically inactive.

Less active populations are less likely to have higher obesity rates. In Wichita, however, residents are about as fit as the rest of the state. The obesity rate in the metro area of 30.3% is exactly in line with the statewide rate. Populations with higher educational attainment are often more physically active, and vice versa. In Wichita, just 29.4% of adults have at least a bachelor’s degree, the second lowest share in the state.

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17. Kentucky
> Laziest city: Elizabethtown-Fort Knox
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 70.6%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 70.9%
> Obesity rate: 31.8%
> City population: 149,388

Elizabethtown-Fort Knox is the least active city in a rather inactive state. In Kentucky, 70.9% of residents report regular physical activity, less than the 73.0% of Americans who do and the eighth lowest of any state. Residents of Elizabethtown-Fort Knox are similarly inactive. In the state’s laziest metro area, 70.6% of residents are physically active.

Less active populations are more likely to be in worse physical health. In Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, residents are about as healthy as the rest of the unhealthy state. Of all adults in the metro area, 31.8% are obese — roughly similar to Kentucky’s 32.1% obesity rate, the 7th highest of any state.

18. Louisiana
> Laziest city: Houma-Thibodaux
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 66.4%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 70.1%
> Obesity rate: 37.1%
> City population: 209,890

In Louisiana, 70.1% of residents report regular physical activity, 2.9 percentage points less than the 73.0% of Americans who do. In Houma-Thibodaux, residents are even less active, with just 66.4% of residents exercising regularly. Inadequate physical activity can be indicative of other unhealthy behaviors that together lead to worse health outcomes overall. The obesity rate in Houma-Thibodaux is 37.1%, significantly higher than Louisiana’s 34.1% obesity rate — itself the second highest of any state.

In places where the educational attainment is low, residents tend to exercise less. In Houma-Thibodaux, just 14.6% of adults have at least a bachelor’s degree, the lowest share statewide.

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19. Maine
> Laziest city: Bangor
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 75.7%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 78.6%
> Obesity rate: 31.7%
> City population: 153,742

Only 75.7% of adults in Bangor report regular exercise, the smallest share of any metro area in Maine. While Bangor is the least active city in Maine, where 78.6% of adults exercise regularly, it is still more active than the national share of 73.0% of Americans who report regular exercise. Populations with higher incomes are often more physically active, and vice versa. In Bangor, the typical household makes just $42,242 annually, the lowest median income in the state.

Less active populations are also more likely to have higher obesity rates, and Bangor is no exception. Of all adults in the metro area, 31.7% are obese, slightly higher than Maine’s 27.9% obesity rate. Adults in Bangor are less healthy than Maine adults overall by other measures. When surveyed, adults in the metro area reported feeling physically unhealthy for 4.0 days out of the last month on average, about half a day more than the statewide response.

20. Maryland
> Laziest city: Cumberland
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 69.9%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 77.1%
> Obesity rate: 29.3%
> City population: 102,694

In Maryland, 77.1% of residents report regular physical activity, significantly more than the 73.0% of Americans who do. Residents of Cumberland, however, do not share an exercise habit with the rest of the state. In Maryland’s laziest metro area, just 69.9% of residents get regular exercise, one of the lowest rates of any metro area. Less active populations are more likely to be in worse physical health, and Cumberland is no exception. Adults in the metro area report feeling physically unhealthy for 4.5 days out of the last month on average, a day and a half more than the statewide response of 3.0 days. Areas with lower incomes tend to get less exercise and have worse health outcomes. The typical household in Cumberland makes just $38,580 annually, the lowest median income in the state.

21. Massachusetts
> Laziest city: Springfield
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 76.2%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 78.6%
> Obesity rate: 27.9%
> City population: 694,411

Springfield is the least active city in one of the more active states. In Massachusetts, 78.6% of adults exercise regularly, significantly more than the 73.0% of Americans who do. While Springfield adults are the least active in the state, they still exercise more than Americans overall, with 76.2% reporting regular physical activity. A lack of exercise habits is indicative of other unhealthy behaviors that together may lead to poor health outcomes. The obesity rate in the metro area is 27.9%, far higher than Massachusetts’s 23.9% obesity rate.

Less wealthy communities are often less likely to exercise in their spare time. The typical Springfield household makes just $50,916 annually, the second lowest median income in the state.

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22. Michigan
> Laziest city: Niles-Benton Harbor
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 72.3%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 77.2%
> Obesity rate: 36.2%
> City population: 156,759

Niles-Benton Harbor is the least active city in a fairly active state. In Michigan, 77.2% of residents report exercise regularly, a higher share than the 73.0% of Americans who do. Residents of Niles-Benton Harbor, however, are not as active. In the state’s laziest metro area, 72.3% of residents are get regular exercise.

Less active populations are more likely to be obese, and Niles-Benton Harbor is no exception. The obesity rate in Niles-Benton Harbor is 36.2% — far higher than Michigan’s 31.6% obesity rate — and the ninth highest of any metro area in the country.

23. Minnesota
> Laziest city: Rochester
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 80.2%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 80.7%
> Obesity rate: 24.6%
> City population: 186,214

In Minnesota, 80.7% of adults get regular physical activity, the eighth highest share of any state and significantly higher than the 73.0% of Americans who regularly engage in physical activity. Although Rochester is the state’s laziest city with 80.2% of adults exercising regularly, it is still more active than the country overall.

Less active populations are more likely to report worse physical health. Despite living in the state’s laziest city, Rochester adults are about as healthy as Minnesota residents overall. Of all adults in the metro area, 24.6% are obese, roughly similar to Minnesota’s 25.9% obesity rate. Similarly, adults in the metro area report feeling physically unhealthy for 2.3 days out of the last month on average, half a day less than the statewide response.

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24. Mississippi
> Laziest city: Jackson
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 68.7%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 67.5%
> Obesity rate: 34.7%
> City population: 540,752

Jackson is the least active city in the least active states in the United States. Just 68.7% of Mississippi residents report regular physical activity, 4.3 percentage points less than the 73.0% of Americans who do. Residents of Jackson are similarly inactive. In the state’s laziest metro area, 66.9% of residents are physically active. Less active populations are more likely to report higher obesity rates. In Jackson, however, 34.7% of adult residents are obese, roughly similar to Mississippi’s 35.3% obesity rate — itself the highest of any state.

25. Missouri
> Laziest city: St. Joseph
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 71.5%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 73.7%
> Obesity rate: 35.2%
> City population: 127,176

In St. Joseph, just 71.5% of residents get exercise regularly — a smaller share than the 73.7% of Missouri adults and 73.0% of American adults who do overall. Less active populations are more likely to be in worse physical health, and St. Joseph is no exception. The obesity rate in the metro area is 35.2%, far higher than Missouri’s 30.9% obesity rate and one of the highest of any city in the country. Populations with higher levels of education are likely to be more physically active and have better health outcomes. The converse is also true. In St. Joseph, just 19.2% of adults have at least a bachelor’s degree, the lowest share in the state.

26. Montana
> Laziest city: Great Falls
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 73.1%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 78.0%
> Obesity rate: 28.9%
> City population: 81,248

Great Falls is the least active city in a particularly active state. So while Montana residents exercise more than Americans do overall, Great Falls residents exercise the same amount as Americans do. In both Great Falls and the country as a whole, roughly 73.0% of adults report getting regular physical activity. Populations with lower levels of physical activity are often in worse physical health. The metro area’s obesity rate of 28.9% is 4.4 percentage points higher than the 24.5% obesity rate statewide.

Communities with higher incomes tend to exercise more, and vice versa. In Great Falls, the typical household makes just $42,170 annually, the lowest median income in the state.

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27. Nebraska
> Laziest city: Grand Island
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 73.3%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 76.2%
> Obesity rate: 30.9%
> City population: 82,631

More than 73.3% of adults in Grand Island get regular exercise. Across Nebraska, 76.2% of residents report regular physical activity. Only 30.9% of adults in the metro area are obese, a slightly larger share than Nebraska’s 29.2% obesity rate. Populations with higher incomes are often more physically active, and vice versa. In Grand Island, the typical household makes just $49,742 annually, the lowest median income in the state.

28. Nevada
> Laziest city: Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 78.3%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 79.3%
> Obesity rate: 24.9%
> City population: 1,976,925

In Nevada, 79.3% of residents report regular physical activity, higher than the 73.0% of Americans who do. While residents of the Las Vegas area are not as active as statewide residents, they are still more active than Americans overall, with 78.3% of residents reporting getting exercise. Less active populations are more likely to report higher obesity rates and other poorer health outcomes. In Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, however, 24.9% of adult residents are obese, roughly similar to Nevada’s 24.7% obesity rate. Similarly, metro area adults reported feeling physically unhealthy for 3.7 days out of the last month on average, as many as adults report statewide.

Populations with higher levels of education are often more physically active, and vice versa. In Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, just 22.7% of adults have at least a bachelor’s degree, the lowest share in the state, and well below the corresponding national educational attainment rate of 28.8%.

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29. New Hampshire
> Laziest city: Manchester-Nashua
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 78.8%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 79.4%
> Obesity rate: 27.2%
> City population: 401,101

Manchester-Nashua is the only metro area in New Hampshire and its laziest by default. The metro area is nonetheless representative of its state, with 21.2% of adult residents exercising regularly — not much different from the 20.6% of adult residents statewide who do. The city and state also share similar health outcomes. The obesity rate in Manchester-Nashua of 27.2% is close to the 27.1% obesity rate for New Hampshire as a whole. Similarly, metro area residents report feeling physically unwell for 3.1 days out of a month on average, close to the 3.2 days that all New Hampshire adults report.

30. New Jersey
> Laziest city: Vineland-Bridgeton
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 70.9%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 75.7%
> Obesity rate: 33.9%
> City population: 157,342

In New Jersey, 75.7% of residents report regular physical activity, a slightly higher share than the 73.0% of Americans who do. Residents of Vineland-Bridgeton, however, are not as active. In the state’s laziest metro area, only 70.9% of residents are physically active. Less active populations are more likely to report poorer physical health, and Vineland-Bridgeton is no exception. Of all adults in the metro area, 33.9% are obese, 9.5 percentage points higher than New Jersey’s 24.4% obesity rate.

Similarly, adults in the metro area reported feeling physically unhealthy for 4.3 days out of the last month on average, a full day more than the statewide response.

31. New Mexico
> Laziest city: Farmington
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 76.8%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 80.2%
> Obesity rate: 30.2%
> City population: 128,600

Farmington is the least active city in a particularly active state. In New Mexico, 80.2% of adults report regular physical activity, 7.2 percentage points more than the 73.0% of Americans who do. While Farmington adults are not as active as statewide residents, they are still more active than Americans overall, with 76.8% of adults reporting regular exercise.

Less active populations are more likely to report poorer physical health, and Farmington is no exception. The metro area’s adult obesity rate of 30.2% is 6.7 percentage points higher than New Mexico’s 23.5% obesity rate. Populations with higher levels of education are often more physically active, and vice versa. Just 16.0% of Farmington adults have at least a bachelor’s degree, the smallest share of any metro area in the state.

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32. New York
> Laziest city: Utica-Rome
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 73.1%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 76.5%
> Obesity rate: 29.1%
> City population: 298,811

Less active populations are more likely to report higher obesity rates, and Utica-Rome is no exception. Of all adults in the metro area, 29.1% are obese, well above New York’s obesity rate of 24.2%. In other health measures, however, adults in Utica-Rome report similar levels compared to New York adults overall. Adults in the metro area report feeling physically unhealthy for 3.8 days out of a month on average, just 0.3 days more than the statewide response. Populations with higher incomes are often more physically active, and vice versa. The typical Utica-Rome household makes just $47,736 annually, the lowest median income in the state.

33. North Carolina
> Laziest city: Rocky Mount
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 68.6%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 75.1%
> Obesity rate: 34.8%
> City population: 151,798

Rocky Mount is the least active city in a somewhat active state. In North Carolina, about three in four residents report regular physical activity, a higher share than the 73.0% of Americans who do. Residents of Rocky Mount, however, are nowhere near as active as the rest of the state. In the state’s laziest metro area, 68.6% of adults exercise regularly, one of the lowest rates of any metro area. Less active populations are more likely to be in worse physical health, and Rocky Mount is no exception. The area’s obesity rate is 34.8%, far higher than the 29.0% obesity rate for North Carolina as a whole. Residents in areas where educational attainment is less widespread are often less likely to get regular exercise. In Rocky Mount, just 15.4% of adults have at least a bachelor’s degree, the lowest share in the state and nearly the lowest in the country.

34. North Dakota
> Laziest city: Grand Forks
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 77.5%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 75.2%
> Obesity rate: 29.3%
> City population: 98,316

Although Grand Forks is the least active city in North Dakota, it is still more active than the state overall. About 75% of North Dakotan adults exercise regularly, less than the 77.5% of Bismarck adults who do the same. So while Bismarck adults are less active than the other two metro areas in the state, they are still more active than North Dakota’s non-metro, rural population. Nonetheless, city residents have similar health outcomes as the state as a whole, which are some of the best in the country. On average, adults in North Dakota feel physically unwell for 2.7 days out a month — fewer than in all but two other states. Likewise, Bismarck adults feel physically unwell for just 2.6 days out of the month on average.

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35. Ohio
> Laziest city: Lima
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 69.8%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 73.8%
> Obesity rate: 36.8%
> City population: 106,079

Lima is the least active city in a somewhat active state. In Ohio, 73.8% of residents report regular physical activity, about the same as the 73.0% of Americans who do. Residents of Lima, however, do not share exercise habits with the rest of the state. Just 69.8% of Lima adults regularly engage in physical activity in their leisure time.

Less active populations are more likely to report worse physical health, and Lima is no exception. Of all adults in the metro area, 36.8% are obese. That is 6.6 percentage points higher than Ohio’s 30.2% obesity rate, and the seventh highest of any metro area in the nation. Populations with higher levels of education are often more physically active, and vice versa. In Lima, just 14.2% of adults have at least a bachelor’s degree, the lowest share in the state and nearly the lowest in the country.

36. Oklahoma
> Laziest city: Lawton
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 70.4%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 70.0%
> Obesity rate: 33.5%
> City population: 123,101

Lawton is the least active city in a particularly inactive state. In Oklahoma, 70.0% of residents report regular physical activity, slightly less than the 73.0% of Americans who do. Residents of Lawton are similarly inactive. In the state’s laziest metro area, 70.4% of residents are physically active. Less active populations are more likely to report poorer physical health, and Lawton is no exception. Of all adults in the metro area, 33.5% are obese — slightly higher than Oklahoma’s 32.2% obesity rate, the sixth highest of any state. Populations with higher incomes are often more physically active, and vice versa. The typical Lawton household makes just $47,584 annually, the lowest median income in the state.

37. Oregon
> Laziest city: Albany
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 80.0%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 83.9%
> Obesity rate: 31.3%
> City population: 117,648

With 83.9% of residents reporting regular physical activity, Oregon is the second most active state nationwide. Even its laziest city, Albany — where four fifths of adults get regular exercise — is far more active than the country as a whole. Nevertheless, Albany’s residents are in worse physical health than Oregon overall. The obesity rate in Oregon is 31.3%, much higher than Oregon’s 26.8% obesity rate. Similarly, adults in the metro area report feeling physically unhealthy for 4.3 days out of the last month on average, over half a day more than the statewide response.

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38. Pennsylvania
> Laziest city: Altoona
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 69.0%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 75.8%
> Obesity rate: 33.1%
> City population: 127,133

Altoona is the least active city in a somewhat active state. In Pennsylvania, 75.8% of residents report regular physical activity, 2.8 percentage points more than the 73.0% of Americans who do. Residents of Altoona, however, are far less active. In the state’s laziest metro area, 69.0% of residents get exercise regularly. Less active populations are more likely to be in worse physical health, and Altoona is no exception. Of all adults in the metro area, 33.1% are obese, 4.3 percentage points higher than Pennsylvania’s 28.8% obesity rate. Residents in areas with lower incomes are likely to exercise less and have worse health outcomes. In Altoona, the typical household makes just $44,019 annually, the second lowest median income of the state’s 16 metro areas.

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39. Rhode Island
> Laziest city: Providence-Warwick
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 76.3%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 75.8%
> Obesity rate: 27.1%
> City population: 1,601,565

Providence-Warwick is the only metro area in Rhode Island and its laziest by default. However, it is also the state’s least lazy city by default. Providence adults are actually significantly more active than Rhode Island adults overall. Just 9.1% of adults in the metro area engage in no physical activity whatsoever, much less than the 24.2% of Rhode Island adults who report the same. Both the city and the state are more active than the nation as a whole, where 27.0% of Americans report engaging in no physical activity whatsoever.

40. South Carolina
> Laziest city: Sumter
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 69.6%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 74.4%
> Obesity rate: 34.7%
> City population: 107,279

South Carolina, where 74.4% of residents engage in physical activity regularly, is somewhat more active than the country as a whole, where 73.0% of Americans exercise regularly. Sumter residents, however, are far less active. In the state’s laziest metro area, just 69.6% of residents exercise regularly. Populations that exercise less tend to have worse health outcomes. The obesity rate in Sumter is 34.7%, significantly higher than South Carolina’s 31.7% obesity rate — itself the ninth highest of any state. The wealth of an area’s residents can affect its exercise habits and overall health. In Sumter, the typical household makes just $36,633 annually, the lowest median income in the state and nearly the lowest in the country.

41. South Dakota
> Laziest city: Rapid City
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 76.8%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 75.5%
> Obesity rate: 27.5%
> City population: 126,696

Rapid City is the least active city in South Dakota. Only 76.8% of metro area residents exercise regularly compared to the 75.5% of residents statewide reporting similar levels of physical activity. Less active populations are more likely to be obese. Rapid City, however, is a noteable exception. The metro area’s adult obesity rate of 27.5% is lower rate than South Dakota’s 29.4% obesity rate. In other health measures, adults in Rapid City are also about as healthy as South Dakota adults overall. Adults in the metro area report feeling physically unhealthy for 3.2 days out of the month on average, just half a day more than the statewide response and the national average.

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42. Tennessee
> Laziest city: Cleveland
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 65.6%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 69.7%
> Obesity rate: 31.9%
> City population: 115,985

Cleveland is the least active city in the fourth least active state in the country. Only 69.7% of Tennessee residents report regular physical activity, compared to 73.0% of Americans who do. Residents of Cleveland are even less active. In the state’s laziest metro area, 65.6% of residents are physically active, the third lowest rate of any metro area nationwide. Less active populations are more likely to be obese. In Cleveland, however, 31.9% of adults are obese, roughly in line with Tennessee’s 32.0% obesity rate — itself the eighth highest of any state.

43. Texas
> Laziest city: Texarkana
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 68.6%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 76.6%
> Obesity rate: 32.9%
> City population: 149,358

In Texas, 76.6% of residents get exercise, more than the 73.0% of Americans who do. Residents of Texarkana, however, are far less active. In the state’s laziest metro area, 68.6% of residents are physically active, one of the lowest rates nationwide. The less a population exercises, the worse its physical health will likely be. Adults in the metro area report feeling physically unhealthy for 4.7 days out of the last month on average, a full day more than the statewide response. Residents in areas where educational attainment is less widespread are less likely to have regular exercise habits. In Texarkana, just 15.7% of adults have at least a bachelor’s degree, the lowest share in the state and one of the lowest in the nation.

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44. Utah
> Laziest city: St. George
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 82.3%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 83.4%
> Obesity rate: 22.6%
> City population: 139,484

St. George is the least active city in the third most active state in the country. In Utah, 83.4% of residents report regular physical activity, over 10 percentage points higher than the 73.0% of Americans who do. So while St. George adults are the laziest in Utah, they are still far more active than Americans overall, with 82.3% of residents getting exercise regularly. St. George adults, however, are more physically fit than Utah as a whole. The obesity rate in the area is 22.6%, somewhat lower than Utah’s 24.9% obesity rate. residents of areas with less wealth are often less likely to exercise regularly. In St. George, the typical household makes just $49,981 annually, the lowest median income in the state.

45. Vermont
> Laziest city: Burlington-South Burlington
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 83.6%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 81.6%
> Obesity rate: 23.2%
> City population: 211,581

Burlington-South Burlington is the only metro area in Vermont and its laziest by default. The metro area is about as lazy as Vermont as a whole, with 16.4% of residents reporting physical inactivity, roughly similar to the statewide response of 18.4%. However, both city and state fare significantly better than the nation overall, where 27.0% of Americans engage in no physical activity whatsoever.

46. Virginia
> Laziest city: Lynchburg
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 73.5%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 77.8%
> Obesity rate: 29.1%
> City population: 252,560

Lynchburg adults have the worst exercise habits in a state where most residents have fairly good habits. In Virginia, 77.8% of residents report regular physical activity, a larger share than the 73.0% of Americans who do. While Lynchburg adults are not as active as statewide residents, they are still about as active as Americans overall, with 73.5% of residents reporting regular exercise.

Areas with higher incomes tend to have residents who exercise more, and vice versa. In Lynchburg, the typical household makes just $47,567 annually, the second lowest median income in the state.

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47. Washington
> Laziest city: Longview
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 76.8%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 81.9%
> Obesity rate: 34.6%
> City population: 102,138

In Washington, 81.9% of residents report regular physical activity, the fifth highest share of any state in the country. While Longview adults are not as active as their statewide counterparts, they are still more active than Americans overall. Compared to the 73.0% of Americans who report regular exercise, 76.8% of Longview residents are physically active.

Less active populations are more likely to be obese, and Longview is no exception. Of all adults in the metro area, 34.6% are obese, 7.3 percentage points higher than Washington state’s 27.3% obesity rate. Populations with higher incomes are often more physically active, and vice versa. In Longview, the typical household makes just $42,223 annually, the lowest median income in the state.

48. West Virginia
> Laziest city: Beckley
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 64.0%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 67.5%
> Obesity rate: 34.5%
> City population: 124,882

Not only is Beckley the laziest city in West Virginia, it is the laziest in the country. Nearly 36% of adults in the metro area report getting no physical activity whatsoever, about 10 percentage points more than the 27.0% of Americans who report the same. While Beckley is the least active in the state, West Virginia is also fairly lazy overall. Just 32.5% of residents statewide do not engage in physical activity regularly, the second highest share in the country.

West Virginia also has some of the worst health outcomes in the country. Roughly One-third of West Virginian adults are obese, a higher share than in all but two states. Likewise, residents report feeling physically unhealthy for 4.9 days out of the last month on average, the highest nationwide. Beckley residents are even more unhealthy, with a 34.5% obesity rate and an average of 5.0 days of feeling physically unwell in the last month. Populations with higher incomes tend to exercise more, and vice versa. The typical Beckley household makes just $39,498 annually, the lowest median income in the state.

49. Wisconsin
> Laziest city: Fond du Lac
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 76.9%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 78.9%
> Obesity rate: 29.3%
> City population: 101,577

Fond du Lac is the least active city in a particularly active state. In Wisconsin, 78.9% of residents report regular physical activity, 5.9 percentage points more than the 73.0% of Americans who do. While Fond du Lac adults are not as active as statewide residents, they are still more active than Americans overall, with 76.9% of residents reporting regular physical activity. Less active populations are more likely to be in poorer physical health. In Fond du Lac, however, the obesity rate of 29.3% is roughly similar to Wisconsin’s 28.8% obesity rate. Similarly, adults in the metro area report feeling physically unhealthy for 2.9 days out of a month on average, roughly in line with the national/state average. Populations with higher levels of education are often more physically active, and vice versa. Just 21.4% of Fond du Lac adults have at least a bachelor’s degree, the second lowest share in the state.

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50. Wyoming
> Laziest city: Casper
> Pct. of city residents reporting physical activity: 76.3%
> Pct. of state residents reporting physical activity: 77.2%
> Obesity rate: 27.1%
> City population: 75,876

Casper is the least active city in a fairly active state. In Wyoming, 77.2% of residents report regular physical activity, significantly more than the 73.0% of Americans who do. While Casper adults are not as active as statewide residents, they are still more active than Americans overall with 76.3% of residents getting exercise regularly.

Less active populations tend to have higher obesity rates. In Casper, however, the obesity rate of 27.1% is roughly similar to Wyoming’s 25.9% obesity rate. Similarly, adults in the metro area report feeling physically unhealthy for 3.3 days out of the last month on average, nearly identical to the statewide response.