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Least Obese County in Every State

Least Obese County in Every State

More than 90 million American adults are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity is a risk factor for such conditions as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes and is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States.

Obesity rates have been on the rise in the United States for years, and they tend to be higher in some states than in others. In eight states — most of which are in the South — more than one in every three adults are obese. Still, in every state, there is at least one county where adults are more likely to maintain a healthy weight than the typical American adult.

Using data from the CDC, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the share of obese adults — defined as having a body mass index of at least 30.0 — to indentify the least obese county in every state.

Adult obesity has a wide range of causes and is usually the product of a combination of factors, including genetic predisposition and the effects of certain medication, as well as dietary patterns and physical activity. In addition to a healthy, well-balanced diet, the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion recommends 2.5 hours of moderate activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, in addition to two days of strength training per week in order to help maintain a healthy weight.

The appropriate amount of exercise may vary from person to person, however, and those who do not want to sacrifice rich, high-calorie foods may need to exercise considerably more. This is how long you need to exercise to burn off the calories from your favorite foods.

One of the strongest predictors of the likelihood of obesity, and healthy outcomes in general, is income. Wealthier Americans can afford a wider range of healthy options related to diet and lifestyle, and as a result they typically report better than average health outcomes. In fact, the majority of counties on this list have a higher median household income than their home state overall. Here is a list of the richest county in every state.

Source: PeteMuller / Getty Images

1. Alabama: Dekalb County
> Obesity rate: 29.1% (state: 35.5%)
> Adults who are physically active: 69.5% (state: 71.8%)
> Median household income: $38,842 (state: $46,472)
> Largest place in county: Fort Payne

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Source: NPS Photo / Emily Mesner

2. Alaska: Denali Borough
> Obesity rate: 24.7% (state: 32.3%)
> Adults who are physically active: 84.8% (state: 81.2%)
> Median household income: $83,295 (state: $76,114)
> Largest place in borough: Healy

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Source: Eric Clark / Getty Images

3. Arizona: Yavapai County
> Obesity rate: 23.0% (state: 27.7%)
> Adults who are physically active: 78.8% (state: 79.8%)
> Median household income: $48,259 (state: $53,510)
> Largest place in county: Prescott Valley

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Source: Photolitherland / Wikimedia Commons

4. Arkansas: Carroll County
> Obesity rate: 27.0% (state: 34.3%)
> Adults who are physically active: 68.4% (state: 68.8%)
> Median household income: $39,686 (state: $43,813)
> Largest place in county: Berryville

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Source: Scharvik / Getty Images

5. California: Marin County
> Obesity rate: 15.7% (state: 23.6%)
> Adults who are physically active: 88.0% (state: 82.6%)
> Median household income: $104,703 (state: $67,169)
> Largest place in county: San Rafael

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Source: seanfboggs / Getty Images

6. Colorado: Eagle County
> Obesity rate: 12.7% (state: 21.8%)
> Adults who are physically active: 90.7% (state: 86.0%)
> Median household income: $83,803 (state: $65,458)
> Largest place in county: Edwards

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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

7. Connecticut: Fairfield County
> Obesity rate: 20.8% (state: 25.4%)
> Adults who are physically active: 82.7% (state: 80.7%)
> Median household income: $89,773 (state: $73,781)
> Largest place in county: Bridgeport

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Source: likeaduck / Flickr

8. Delaware: New Castle County
> Obesity rate: 28.3% (state: 30.5%)
> Adults who are physically active: 76.8% (state: 74.6%)
> Median household income: $68,336 (state: $63,036)
> Largest place in county: Wilmington

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Source: GabrielPevide / Getty Images

9. Florida: Martin County
> Obesity rate: 19.2% (state: 26.6%)
> Adults who are physically active: 78.5% (state: 75.3%)
> Median household income: $55,588 (state: $50,883)
> Largest place in county: Palm City

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Source: Thomson200 / Wikimedia Commons

10. Georgia: Haralson County
> Obesity rate: 22.4% (state: 31.9%)
> Adults who are physically active: 74.7% (state: 75.7%)
> Median household income: $43,663 (state: $52,977)
> Largest place in county: Bremen

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Source: Travis.Thurston / Wikimedia Commons

11. Hawaii: Kauai County
> Obesity rate: 21.5% (state: 24.0%)
> Adults who are physically active: 82.2% (state: 80.2%)
> Median household income: $72,330 (state: $74,923)
> Largest place in county: Kapaa

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Source: Leaflet / Wikimedia Commons

12. Idaho: Blaine County
> Obesity rate: 14.6% (state: 29.3%)
> Adults who are physically active: 88.0% (state: 81.0%)
> Median household income: $58,835 (state: $50,985)
> Largest place in county: Hailey

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Source: Nyttend / Wikimedia Commons

13. Illinois: Gallatin County
> Obesity rate: 22.0% (state: 29.4%)
> Adults who are physically active: 78.0% (state: 78.5%)
> Median household income: $42,450 (state: $61,229)
> Largest place in county: Shawneetown

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Source: Nyttend / Wikimedia Commons

14. Indiana: Union County
> Obesity rate: 23.3% (state: 33.3%)
> Adults who are physically active: 69.5% (state: 74.9%)
> Median household income: $45,531 (state: $52,182)
> Largest place in county: Liberty

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Source: Jo Naylor / Flickr

15. Iowa: Davis County
> Obesity rate: 24.6% (state: 33.2%)
> Adults who are physically active: 77.2% (state: 77.0%)
> Median household income: $52,390 (state: $56,570)
> Largest place in county: Bloomfield

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Source: Ammodramus / Wikimedia Commons

16. Kansas: Sheridan County
> Obesity rate: 22.4% (state: 33.4%)
> Adults who are physically active: 76.5% (state: 76.5%)
> Median household income: $56,607 (state: $55,477)
> Largest place in county: Hoxie

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Source: Morgan from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada / Wikimedia Commons

17. Kentucky: Oldham County
> Obesity rate: 20.8% (state: 33.7%)
> Adults who are physically active: 79.2% (state: 72.6%)
> Median household income: $92,237 (state: $46,535)
> Largest place in county: La Grange

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Source: Ken Lund / Flickr

18. Louisiana: West Feliciana Parish
> Obesity rate: 21.1% (state: 35.4%)
> Adults who are physically active: 73.6% (state: 71.5%)
> Median household income: $55,647 (state: $46,710)
> Largest place in parish: St. Francisville

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Source: virsuziglis / Getty Images

19. Maine: Cumberland County
> Obesity rate: 22.8% (state: 29.7%)
> Adults who are physically active: 84.7% (state: 79.8%)
> Median household income: $65,702 (state: $53,024)
> Largest place in county: Portland

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Source: takomabibelot / Flickr

20. Maryland: Montgomery County
> Obesity rate: 20.8% (state: 30.7%)
> Adults who are physically active: 84.8% (state: 79.0%)
> Median household income: $103,178 (state: $78,916)
> Largest place in county: Silver Spring

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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

21. Massachusetts: Hampshire County
> Obesity rate: 20.1% (state: 24.5%)
> Adults who are physically active: 84.2% (state: 80.1%)
> Median household income: $64,974 (state: $74,167)
> Largest place in county: Northampton

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Source: Royalbroil / Wikimedia Commons

22. Michigan: Dickinson County
> Obesity rate: 23.4% (state: 31.9%)
> Adults who are physically active: 80.5% (state: 77.7%)
> Median household income: $45,681 (state: $52,668)
> Largest place in county: Iron Mountain

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Source: Pete Markham / Flickr

23. Minnesota: Cook County
> Obesity rate: 20.7% (state: 27.7%)
> Adults who are physically active: 81.9% (state: 81.5%)
> Median household income: $51,903 (state: $65,699)
> Largest place in county: Grand Marais

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Source: formulanone / Wikimedia Commons

24. Mississippi: Issaquena County
> Obesity rate: 26.9% (state: 36.8%)
> Adults who are physically active: 67.7% (state: 68.7%)
> Median household income: $25,609 (state: $42,009)
> Largest place in county: Mayersville

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Source: Drowzy / Wikimedia Commons

25. Missouri: Dent County
> Obesity rate: 21.0% (state: 32.0%)
> Adults who are physically active: 71.9% (state: 75.0%)
> Median household income: $38,829 (state: $51,542)
> Largest place in county: Salem

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Source: Tim Evanson / Flickr

26. Montana: Gallatin County
> Obesity rate: 17.1% (state: 25.7%)
> Adults who are physically active: 88.4% (state: 80.4%)
> Median household income: $59,397 (state: $50,801)
> Largest place in county: Bozeman

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Source: Ammodramus / Wikimedia Commons

27. Nebraska: Sioux County
> Obesity rate: 22.3% (state: 32.2%)
> Adults who are physically active: 71.8% (state: 78.0%)
> Median household income: $45,375 (state: $56,675)
> Largest place in county: Harrison

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Source: Ken Lund / Flickr

28. Nevada: Eureka County
> Obesity rate: 21.3% (state: 25.6%)
> Adults who are physically active: 79.5% (state: 78.3%)
> Median household income: $67,159 (state: $55,434)
> Largest place in county: N/A

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Source: Jon Platek / Wikimedia Commons

29. New Hampshire: Grafton County
> Obesity rate: 23.3% (state: 27.5%)
> Adults who are physically active: 80.6% (state: 80.0%)
> Median household income: $61,036 (state: $71,305)
> Largest place in county: Lebanon

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Source: John Bohnel / Wikimedia Commons

30. New Jersey: Hunterdon County
> Obesity rate: 19.4% (state: 26.0%)
> Adults who are physically active: 82.1% (state: 76.4%)
> Median household income: $110,969 (state: $76,475)
> Largest place in county: Flemington

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Source: Asaavedra32 / Wikimedia Commons

31. New Mexico: Santa Fe County
> Obesity rate: 14.2% (state: 26.8%)
> Adults who are physically active: 89.4% (state: 81.8%)
> Median household income: $57,945 (state: $46,718)
> Largest place in county: Santa Fe

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Source: LIVINUS / Getty Images

32. New York: New York County
> Obesity rate: 14.7% (state: 25.4%)
> Adults who are physically active: 82.3% (state: 75.5%)
> Median household income: $79,781 (state: $62,765)
> Largest place in county: New York

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Source: Jeremy Mikkola / Wikimedia Commons

33. North Carolina: Watauga County
> Obesity rate: 17.0% (state: 31.4%)
> Adults who are physically active: 82.1% (state: 77.0%)
> Median household income: $41,541 (state: $50,320)
> Largest place in county: Boone

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Source: Andrew Filer / Wikimedia Commons

34. North Dakota: Bowman County
> Obesity rate: 22.4% (state: 32.8%)
> Adults who are physically active: 73.7% (state: 78.4%)
> Median household income: $65,435 (state: $61,285)
> Largest place in county: Bowman

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Source: Ken Lund / Flickr

35. Ohio: Geauga County
> Obesity rate: 23.8% (state: 32.1%)
> Adults who are physically active: 75.3% (state: 75.4%)
> Median household income: $77,104 (state: $52,407)
> Largest place in county: Chardon

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Source: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons

36. Oklahoma: Harper County
> Obesity rate: 25.5% (state: 33.7%)
> Adults who are physically active: 72.5% (state: 71.6%)
> Median household income: $46,915 (state: $49,767)
> Largest place in county: Laverne

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Source: LParkerPhotography / Getty Images

37. Oregon: Deschutes County
> Obesity rate: 22.7% (state: 28.9%)
> Adults who are physically active: 87.1% (state: 84.8%)
> Median household income: $59,152 (state: $56,119)
> Largest place in county: Bend

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Source: Adam Moss / Wikimedia Commons

38. Pennsylvania: Chester County
> Obesity rate: 21.8% (state: 30.1%)
> Adults who are physically active: 83.9% (state: 77.6%)
> Median household income: $92,417 (state: $56,951)
> Largest place in county: West Chester

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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

39. Rhode Island: Bristol County
> Obesity rate: 22.5% (state: 27.8%)
> Adults who are physically active: 81.4% (state: 76.6%)
> Median household income: $74,630 (state: $61,043)
> Largest place in county: Bristol

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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

40. South Carolina: Beaufort County
> Obesity rate: 24.1% (state: 33.0%)
> Adults who are physically active: 83.9% (state: 75.3%)
> Median household income: $60,603 (state: $48,781)
> Largest place in county: Hilton Head Island

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Source: Ammodramus / Wikimedia Commons

41. South Dakota: Jerauld County
> Obesity rate: 21.8% (state: 31.8%)
> Adults who are physically active: 77.0% (state: 80.1%)
> Median household income: $49,882 (state: $54,126)
> Largest place in county: Wessington Springs

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Source: csfotoimages / iStock

42. Tennessee: Williamson County
> Obesity rate: 20.7% (state: 33.2%)
> Adults who are physically active: 80.3% (state: 73.3%)
> Median household income: $103,543 (state: $48,708)
> Largest place in county: Franklin

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Source: Mel / Flickr

43. Texas: Fayette County
> Obesity rate: 20.5% (state: 30.1%)
> Adults who are physically active: 77.0% (state: 77.2%)
> Median household income: $56,941 (state: $57,051)
> Largest place in county: La Grange

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Source: (c) Salil Bhatt / Getty Images

44. Utah: Summit County
> Obesity rate: 13.8% (state: 26.2%)
> Adults who are physically active: 89.2% (state: 83.9%)
> Median household income: $94,952 (state: $65,325)
> Largest place in county: Park City

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Source: roadgeek / Flickr

45. Vermont: Chittenden County
> Obesity rate: 20.8% (state: 26.2%)
> Adults who are physically active: 86.1% (state: 81.4%)
> Median household income: $66,906 (state: $57,808)
> Largest place in county: Burlington

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Source: nwinter / Getty Images

46. Virginia: Arlington County
> Obesity rate: 20.0% (state: 29.6%)
> Adults who are physically active: 85.1% (state: 78.4%)
> Median household income: $112,138 (state: $68,766)
> Largest place in county: Arlington

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Source: gregobagel / Getty Images

47. Washington: San Juan County
> Obesity rate: 17.0% (state: 27.8%)
> Adults who are physically active: 86.4% (state: 83.6%)
> Median household income: $60,271 (state: $66,174)
> Largest place in county: Friday Harbor

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Source: BackyardProduction / Getty Images

48. West Virginia: Monongalia County
> Obesity rate: 30.1% (state: 36.9%)
> Adults who are physically active: 79.5% (state: 72.2%)
> Median household income: $49,624 (state: $44,061)
> Largest place in county: Morgantown

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Source: filo / Getty Images

49. Wisconsin: Dane County
> Obesity rate: 22.5% (state: 31.1%)
> Adults who are physically active: 85.4% (state: 80.5%)
> Median household income: $67,631 (state: $56,759)
> Largest place in county: Madison

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Source: benedek / Getty Images

50. Wyoming: Teton County
> Obesity rate: 12.3% (state: 29.0%)
> Adults who are physically active: 88.0% (state: 76.9%)
> Median household income: $80,049 (state: $60,938)
> Largest place in county: Jackson

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Methodology

To identify the least obese county in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed county- and state-level data on the percentage of the 2016 adult population struggling with obesity from the Centers for Disease Control and prevention’s United States Diabetes Surveillance System (USDSS). Obesity is defined by the CDC as having a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30.

Other health measures, such as the percentage of the population that is uninsured, the premature mortality rate, and the percent of the population that reports having no leisure time activity, are at the county and state level and came from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (CHR), a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program. All CHR data is for the most recent period available. Total population, median household income, poverty rate, and educational attainment are from the American Community Survey 2017 5-Year Estimates. We only considered counties with at least 1,000 residents.

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