The Laziest City in Every State

Obesity has been considered an epidemic in the United States for years. The share of adults considered obese has been steadily increasing, reaching almost 42% between 2017 and 2020, up from around 30% in 1999-2000. While some factors that contribute to the condition are out of a person’s control (such as genetics), others — such as leading an active lifestyle — can be improved by personal choice.

Exercise has been shown to be a crucial factor in maintaining a healthy weight as it helps deplete body fat and build muscle tissue. Physical activity is also linked not only to longevity but also to a better quality of life. (See how much energy it takes to offset the calories in your favorite foods.)

Only about one in four American adults exercises on a regular basis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who report that only about 24% meet the federal guidelines for aerobic activity and strength training.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults do at least 150 to 300 minutes a week of moderate to intense exercise — about 20 to 40 minutes a day. If that sounds daunting, some research shows that even just 15 minutes a day will provide benefits, including lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some common types of cancer.

To determine the laziest city or metro area in every state — the city whose residents are getting the least exercise — 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the 2023 County Health Rankings, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The data reflects the self-reported share of adults in a city or metro area who do not exercise during their leisure time. The share of the population with no access to places for exercise as well as information on obesity rate, adults who report being in fair or poor health, and the average number of days per month when residents report feeling physically unhealthy also comes from the 2023 CHR.

Exercise rates vary considerably across the country. In some states — including Connecticut, Hawaii, and Oregon — the share of adults getting exercise exceeds the average share nationwide, even in the least active cities.

All but five cities on this list have a higher inactivity rate than their respective state. The exceptions are Fairbanks, AK; Providence, RI; Rapid City, SD; Hattiesburg, MS; Grand Fork, ND; and Burlington, VT. However, in those states, the difference is very small — from 0.1 to 1.9 percentage points.

Of the 50 metro areas on the list, only nine have an adult obesity rate that is lower than the adult obesity rate of their state. (Here’s a look at the most obese city in every state.)

Alabama: Dothan

• Adults who report not exercising: 31.70% (state: 27.8%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 61.60% (state: 60.9%)
• Adult obesity rate: 39.30% (state: 39.3%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 20.20% (state: 18.9%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.8 a month (state: 3.5 a month)

Alaska: Fairbanks

• Adults who report not exercising: 21.00% (state: 21.1%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 76.40% (state: 75.7%)
• Adult obesity rate: 31.20% (state: 31.8%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 11.90% (state: 12.2%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.1 a month (state: 3.0 a month)

Arizona: Yuma

• Adults who report not exercising: 29.40% (state: 21.6%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 80.80% (state: 86.2%)
• Adult obesity rate: 40.50% (state: 31.5%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 21.10% (state: 14.5%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.8 a month (state: 3.1 a month)

Arkansas: Pine Bluff

• Adults who report not exercising: 33.70% (state: 28.8%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 54.10% (state: 63.0%)
• Adult obesity rate: 42.90% (state: 37.2%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 22.80% (state: 19.4%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 4.2 a month (state: 4.1 a month)

California: El Centro

• Adults who report not exercising: 31.70% (state: 21.1%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 80.20% (state: 94.6%)
• Adult obesity rate: 36.20% (state: 30.2%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 24.00% (state: 14.4%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 4.2 a month (state: 3.0 a month)

Colorado: Pueblo

• Adults who report not exercising: 24.40% (state: 16.5%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 77.50% (state: 90.4%)
• Adult obesity rate: 29.60% (state: 24.2%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 15.50% (state: 10.2%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.8 a month (state: 2.7 a month)

Connecticut: New Haven-Milford

• Adults who report not exercising: 21.80% (state: 20.2%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 95.70% (state: 93.5%)
• Adult obesity rate: 33.30% (state: 29.5%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 11.60% (state: 11.0%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 2.9 a month (state: 2.6 a month)

Delaware: Dover

• Adults who report not exercising: 27.60% (state: 23.6%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 64.10% (state: 81.3%)
• Adult obesity rate: 39.10% (state: 36.2%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 14.60% (state: 12.8%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.3 a month (state: 3.1 a month)

Florida: Sebring-Avon Park

• Adults who report not exercising: 29.60% (state: 25.8%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 76.60% (state: 88.2%)
• Adult obesity rate: 39.10% (state: 28.3%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 19.20% (state: 13.3%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 4.1 a month (state: 3.0 a month)

Georgia: Dalton

• Adults who report not exercising: 32.00% (state: 24.5%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 72.30% (state: 74.6%)
• Adult obesity rate: 39.00% (state: 34.3%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 19.90% (state: 15.1%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 4.1 a month (state: 3.2 a month)

Hawaii: Urban Honolulu

• Adults who report not exercising: 19.80% (state: 18.4%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 97.30% (state: 93.7%)
• Adult obesity rate: 24.30% (state: 25.0%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 11.40% (state: 10.3%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 2.4 a month (state: 2.3 a month)

Idaho: Twin Falls

• Adults who report not exercising: 23.20% (state: 19.7%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 65.20% (state: 74.7%)
• Adult obesity rate: 34.00% (state: 31.3%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 14.70% (state: 11.8%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.5 a month (state: 3.0 a month)

Illinois: Danville

• Adults who report not exercising: 28.10% (state: 24.4%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 69.40% (state: 90.4%)
• Adult obesity rate: 38.20% (state: 32.5%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 16.70% (state: 12.3%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.4 a month (state: 2.7 a month)

Indiana: Muncie

• Adults who report not exercising: 29.20% (state: 25.6%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 76.40% (state: 76.8%)
• Adult obesity rate: 40.10% (state: 37.2%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 17.30% (state: 15.1%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.7 a month (state: 3.3 a month)

Iowa: Sioux City

• Adults who report not exercising: 26.70% (state: 22.7%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 85.00% (state: 79.3%)
• Adult obesity rate: 38.30% (state: 37.2%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 13.20% (state: 12.0%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3 a month (state: 2.8 a month)

Kansas: Topeka

• Adults who report not exercising: 22.30% (state: 21.4%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 77.50% (state: 79.7%)
• Adult obesity rate: 37.50% (state: 35.8%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 13.10% (state: 12.8%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3 a month (state: 2.8 a month)

Kentucky: Bowling Green

• Adults who report not exercising: 30.60% (state: 29.3%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 55.10% (state: 69.9%)
• Adult obesity rate: 37.60% (state: 37.0%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 18.90% (state: 19.5%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 4.3 a month (state: 4.3 a month)

Louisiana: Hammond

• Adults who report not exercising: 33.40% (state: 28.2%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 65.50% (state: 75.8%)
• Adult obesity rate: 40.80% (state: 38.3%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 19.50% (state: 19.0%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 4 a month (state: 4.0 a month)

Maine: Lewiston-Auburn

• Adults who report not exercising: 24.30% (state: 19.7%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 83.10% (state: 65.7%)
• Adult obesity rate: 35.00% (state: 31.3%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 13.20% (state: 11.1%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.2 a month (state: 2.7 a month)

Maryland: Hagerstown-Martinsburg

• Adults who report not exercising: 27.00% (state: 20.6%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 68.60% (state: 92.1%)
• Adult obesity rate: 37.70% (state: 30.9%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 15.10% (state: 10.6%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.6 a month (state: 2.5 a month)

Massachusetts: Worcester

• Adults who report not exercising: 21.80% (state: 19.4%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 89.70% (state: 94.7%)
• Adult obesity rate: 30.30% (state: 24.5%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 11.00% (state: 10.8%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 2.8 a month (state: 2.4 a month)

Michigan: Flint

• Adults who report not exercising: 24.70% (state: 20.2%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 85.90% (state: 85.2%)
• Adult obesity rate: 42.10% (state: 35.3%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 16.80% (state: 14.7%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.8 a month (state: 3.3 a month)

Minnesota: St. Cloud

• Adults who report not exercising: 21.50% (state: 18.7%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 77.00% (state: 86.0%)
• Adult obesity rate: 34.80% (state: 30.6%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 11.60% (state: 10.0%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 2.9 a month (state: 2.6 a month)

Mississippi: Hattiesburg

• Adults who report not exercising: 28.40% (state: 28.9%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 62.60% (state: 57.5%)
• Adult obesity rate: 39.10% (state: 39.9%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 18.60% (state: 18.7%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.2 a month (state: 2.9 a month)

Missouri: Joplin

• Adults who report not exercising: 27.10% (state: 24.9%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 68.60% (state: 75.8%)
• Adult obesity rate: 36.50% (state: 34.2%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 17.00% (state: 15.2%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.8 a month (state: 3.4 a month)

Montana: Great Falls

• Adults who report not exercising: 21.30% (state: 18.0%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 76.60% (state: 72.8%)
• Adult obesity rate: 35.00% (state: 28.9%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 12.90% (state: 12.1%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.4 a month (state: 3.3 a month)

Nebraska: Grand Island

• Adults who report not exercising: 25.70% (state: 21.0%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 81.50% (state: 83.1%)
• Adult obesity rate: 39.00% (state: 34.0%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 12.80% (state: 10.2%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 2.7 a month (state: 2.5 a month)

Nevada: Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise

• Adults who report not exercising: 26.20% (state: 24.9%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 96.10% (state: 91.5%)
• Adult obesity rate: 31.10% (state: 28.1%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 17.50% (state: 16.7%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.8 a month (state: 3.9 a month)

New Hampshire: Manchester-Nashua

• Adults who report not exercising: 19.90% (state: 18.6%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 86.60% (state: 84.2%)
• Adult obesity rate: 29.20% (state: 30.5%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 10.90% (state: 10.8%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 2.7 a month (state: 3.1 a month)

New Jersey: Vineland-Bridgeton

• Adults who report not exercising: 30.80% (state: 20.2%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 86.70% (state: 96.1%)
• Adult obesity rate: 35.70% (state: 27.7%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 17.80% (state: 10.8%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.4 a month (state: 2.4 a month)

New Mexico: Las Cruces

• Adults who report not exercising: 25.00% (state: 22.5%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 65.10% (state: 74.3%)
• Adult obesity rate: 30.90% (state: 31.7%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 16.80% (state: 13.8%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.5 a month (state: 3.1 a month)

New York: Elmira

• Adults who report not exercising: 25.20% (state: 25.2%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 81.80% (state: 93.2%)
• Adult obesity rate: 33.00% (state: 26.5%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 12.50% (state: 11.8%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.2 a month (state: 2.7 a month)

North Carolina: Rocky Mount

• Adults who report not exercising: 26.70% (state: 21.9%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 59.60% (state: 74.5%)
• Adult obesity rate: 39.00% (state: 33.6%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 17.50% (state: 13.5%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.4 a month (state: 3.0 a month)

North Dakota: Grand Forks

• Adults who report not exercising: 23.40% (state: 24.6%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 83.00% (state: 72.5%)
• Adult obesity rate: 35.90% (state: 33.6%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 11.60% (state: 11.6%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 2.8 a month (state: 2.6 a month)

Ohio: Springfield

• Adults who report not exercising: 29.00% (state: 23.5%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 85.80% (state: 83.8%)
• Adult obesity rate: 36.70% (state: 35.8%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 16.30% (state: 14.5%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.5 a month (state: 3.2 a month)

Oklahoma: Lawton

• Adults who report not exercising: 31.20% (state: 27.9%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 69.30% (state: 71.3%)
• Adult obesity rate: 39.40% (state: 37.1%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 18.00% (state: 17.3%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.9 a month (state: 3.7 a month)

Oregon: Grants Pass

• Adults who report not exercising: 21.20% (state: 17.6%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 68.60% (state: 87.9%)
• Adult obesity rate: 30.40% (state: 28.3%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 15.80% (state: 12.7%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.8 a month (state: 2.9 a month)

Pennsylvania: Lebanon

• Adults who report not exercising: 25.30% (state: 23.4%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 86.90% (state: 85.8%)
• Adult obesity rate: 36.30% (state: 31.6%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 14.20% (state: 13.1%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.3 a month (state: 3.1 a month)

Rhode Island: Providence-Warwick

• Adults who report not exercising: 22.60% (state: 22.9%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 94.00% (state: 95.5%)
• Adult obesity rate: 29.60% (state: 30.6%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 12.50% (state: 11.8%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3 a month (state: 3.0 a month)

South Carolina: Florence

• Adults who report not exercising: 30.80% (state: 25.6%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 47.50% (state: 70.3%)
• Adult obesity rate: 41.70% (state: 36.7%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 18.40% (state: 15.9%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 4.1 a month (state: 3.9 a month)

South Dakota: Rapid City

• Adults who report not exercising: 21.30% (state: 21.6%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 74.60% (state: 70.6%)
• Adult obesity rate: 32.80% (state: 33.4%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 10.80% (state: 10.4%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 2.7 a month (state: 2.3 a month)

Tennessee: Cleveland

• Adults who report not exercising: 27.50% (state: 23.6%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 78.00% (state: 67.6%)
• Adult obesity rate: 38.70% (state: 35.8%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 16.20% (state: 15.7%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.7 a month (state: 3.3 a month)

Texas: Laredo

• Adults who report not exercising: 38.00% (state: 25.4%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 91.10% (state: 81.7%)
• Adult obesity rate: 44.60% (state: 35.8%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 27.40% (state: 15.7%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 4.3 a month (state: 2.9 a month)

Utah: Ogden-Clearfield

• Adults who report not exercising: 17.90% (state: 16.3%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 88.00% (state: 84.2%)
• Adult obesity rate: 32.70% (state: 29.3%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 11.40% (state: 10.9%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.2 a month (state: 2.8 a month)

Vermont: Burlington-South Burlington

• Adults who report not exercising: 15.20% (state: 17.1%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 77.10% (state: 70.6%)
• Adult obesity rate: 24.40% (state: 26.3%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 9.10% (state: 10.6%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 2.6 a month (state: 2.9 a month)

Virginia: Harrisonburg

• Adults who report not exercising: 24.50% (state: 20.4%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 68.80% (state: 83.4%)
• Adult obesity rate: 34.10% (state: 32.4%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 15.90% (state: 12.4%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.4 a month (state: 2.7 a month)

Washington: Yakima

• Adults who report not exercising: 25.30% (state: 17.5%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 77.90% (state: 86.0%)
• Adult obesity rate: 37.10% (state: 28.0%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 19.20% (state: 11.8%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 4.1 a month (state: 2.9 a month)

West Virginia: Charleston

• Adults who report not exercising: 30.50% (state: 27.4%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 56.50% (state: 57.8%)
• Adult obesity rate: 39.00% (state: 39.6%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 19.70% (state: 20.0%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 4.4 a month (state: 4.4 a month)

Wisconsin: Janesville-Beloit

• Adults who report not exercising: 21.60% (state: 19.8%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 87.30% (state: 83.5%)
• Adult obesity rate: 35.10% (state: 32.7%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 12.10% (state: 12.4%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 3.3 a month (state: 3.2 a month)

Wyoming: Casper

• Adults who report not exercising: 25.00% (state: 21.6%)
• Population with no access to places for exercise: 82.80% (state: 77.5%)
• Adult obesity rate: 34.00% (state: 30.6%)
• Adults who report fair/poor health: 12.20% (state: 11.5%)
• Average days people reported feeling unhealthy: 2.9 a month (state: 2.7 a month)