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The Laziest County in Every State

The Laziest County in Every State

Exercise is one of the most effective ways for people to improve their overall health. Regular exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of depression, weight gain, and certain chronic diseases, while improving cognitive function, sleep quality, and physical balance — among many other benefits. 

Though the importance of physical activity is well established, over 55 million American adults lead completely sedentary lifestyles. Physical inactivity accounts for about one in every 10 premature deaths in the U.S. and also has broader social costs — presenting an estimated $117 billion burden on the health care system annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  

Insufficient exercise is a major public health challenge across the United States, but in some parts of the country, the problem is far worse than in others. 

Using data from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program, 24/7 Tempo identified the least physically active county in each state. County and county equivalents are ranked by the share of adults 20 or older who never exercise in their leisure time.

Though each county or county equivalent on this list ranks as the least physically active in its state, the share of adults who do not exercise varies considerably in these places — from 20% to over 50%. Nationwide, 22.7% of adults do not exercise in their leisure time.  

Given the benefits associated with regular exercise, it is perhaps not surprising that overall health outcomes are often worse in places where larger shares of the population are not physically active. For example, in all but a few counties on this list, both the obesity rate and the share of adults who report being in fair or poor health are higher than the respective statewide averages. Here is a look at the most obese states in America

For many residents of the counties on this list, a lack of regular physical exercise is partially attributable to limited opportunities. In a majority of these counties, the share of the population living in close proximity to places to exercise, like parks or recreational facilities, is well below the 84.2% national average.

Source: formulanone / Flickr

Alabama: Conecuh County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 42.6% (Alabama: 29.3%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 37.0% (Alabama: 61.1%)
> Adult obesity rate: 42.1% (Alabama: 36.1%)
> Adults with diabetes: 24.0% (Alabama: 14.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 29.3% (Alabama: 21.4%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.4 (Alabama: 4.4)

Source: GeorgeBurba / iStock via Getty Images

Alaska: North Slope Borough
> Adults who don’t exercise: 33.0% (Alaska: 19.3%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 100.0% (Alaska: 100.0%)
> Adult obesity rate: 44.0% (Alaska: 31.9%)
> Adults with diabetes: 5.5% (Alaska: 8.3%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.5% (Alaska: 15.6%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.7 (Alaska: 4.1)

Source: MCCAIG / iStock via Getty Images

Arizona: La Paz County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 38.1% (Arizona: 21.2%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 39.1% (Arizona: 85.1%)
> Adult obesity rate: 33.0% (Arizona: 27.9%)
> Adults with diabetes: 17.8% (Arizona: 9.6%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.3% (Arizona: 18.6%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.5 (Arizona: 4.2)

Source: Brandonrush / Wikimedia Commons

Arkansas: Prairie County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 50.4% (Arkansas: 30.4%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 40.7% (Arkansas: 63.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 36.0% (Arkansas: 35.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 13.2% (Arkansas: 13.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 25.0% (Arkansas: 23.3%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.3 (Arkansas: 4.8)

Source: www.flickr.com/photos/54144402@N03/

California: Lassen County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 33.6% (California: 17.7%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 54.2% (California: 93.1%)
> Adult obesity rate: 32.8% (California: 24.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 14.7% (California: 8.8%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.6% (California: 17.6%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.8 (California: 3.9)

Source: denverjeffrey / Flickr

Colorado: Kiowa County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 29.8% (Colorado: 14.8%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 58.5% (Colorado: 90.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 28.3% (Colorado: 22.4%)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.7% (Colorado: 6.6%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.2% (Colorado: 13.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4 (Colorado: 3.3)

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

Connecticut: Windham County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 24.0% (Connecticut: 19.9%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 81.9% (Connecticut: 94.0%)
> Adult obesity rate: 31.0% (Connecticut: 26.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 11.0% (Connecticut: 9.2%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 15.5% (Connecticut: 13.0%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.8 (Connecticut: 3.3)

Source: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons

Delaware: Kent County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 30.9% (Delaware: 27.3%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 66.8% (Delaware: 86.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 38.4% (Delaware: 32.4%)
> Adults with diabetes: 13.9% (Delaware: 11.8%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.0% (Delaware: 16.3%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.5 (Delaware: 3.7)

Source: By Michael Rivera - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34120635

Florida: Dixie County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 43.4% (Florida: 25.8%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 34.8% (Florida: 88.7%)
> Adult obesity rate: 33.1% (Florida: 27.2%)
> Adults with diabetes: 14.6% (Florida: 10.8%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.4% (Florida: 19.5%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.7 (Florida: 4)

Source: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q486150

Georgia: Clay County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 42.8% (Georgia: 26.4%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 29.3% (Georgia: 75.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 40.7% (Georgia: 32.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 12.5% (Georgia: 12.0%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 31.8% (Georgia: 18.4%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.8 (Georgia: 3.9)

Source: Art Wager / iStock via Getty Images

Hawaii: Honolulu County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 20.0% (Hawaii: 19.6%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 96.7% (Hawaii: 92.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 24.4% (Hawaii: 24.6%)
> Adults with diabetes: 11.3% (Hawaii: 11.1%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.0% (Hawaii: 15.4%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.6 (Hawaii: 3.2)

Source: kenlund / Flickr

Idaho: Gem County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 30.0% (Idaho: 20.4%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 73.9% (Idaho: 78.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 37.8% (Idaho: 29.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 12.8% (Idaho: 9.3%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.0% (Idaho: 15.1%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.6 (Idaho: 3.7)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Illinois: Clay County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 35.1% (Illinois: 21.6%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 52.2% (Illinois: 90.8%)
> Adult obesity rate: 28.4% (Illinois: 29.7%)
> Adults with diabetes: 14.5% (Illinois: 9.9%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.0% (Illinois: 15.9%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.3 (Illinois: 3.6)

Source: Charles Edward / Wikimedia Commons

Indiana: Martin County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 39.0% (Indiana: 26.7%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 76.4% (Indiana: 75.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 45.8% (Indiana: 33.9%)
> Adults with diabetes: 9.9% (Indiana: 12.1%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.0% (Indiana: 18.2%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.4 (Indiana: 4)

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

Iowa: Appanoose County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 33.9% (Iowa: 22.6%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 69.5% (Iowa: 82.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 44.6% (Iowa: 34.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 15.2% (Iowa: 9.9%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.1% (Iowa: 13.5%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.6 (Iowa: 3.1)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Kansas: Decatur County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 35.4% (Kansas: 23.9%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 46.8% (Kansas: 80.1%)
> Adult obesity rate: 35.9% (Kansas: 33.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 11.6% (Kansas: 10.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.6% (Kansas: 16.3%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4 (Kansas: 3.6)

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

Kentucky: Marion County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 41.1% (Kentucky: 28.7%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 48.2% (Kentucky: 71.1%)
> Adult obesity rate: 37.0% (Kentucky: 34.6%)
> Adults with diabetes: 11.9% (Kentucky: 12.7%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.6% (Kentucky: 21.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.8 (Kentucky: 4.6)

Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons

Louisiana: Grant Parish
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.1% (Louisiana: 28.0%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 69.5% (Louisiana: 75.0%)
> Adult obesity rate: 44.9% (Louisiana: 36.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 16.1% (Louisiana: 13.0%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.9% (Louisiana: 21.4%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.8 (Louisiana: 4.3)

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

Maine: Aroostook County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 30.7% (Maine: 20.8%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 55.6% (Maine: 70.0%)
> Adult obesity rate: 37.7% (Maine: 29.8%)
> Adults with diabetes: 15.0% (Maine: 10.4%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.7% (Maine: 17.1%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.9 (Maine: 4.2)

Source: Chesapeake Bay Program / Flickr

Maryland: Somerset County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 32.5% (Maryland: 21.9%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 61.0% (Maryland: 92.6%)
> Adult obesity rate: 41.9% (Maryland: 31.6%)
> Adults with diabetes: 15.9% (Maryland: 11.1%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.8% (Maryland: 15.2%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.7 (Maryland: 3.4)

Source: cmh2315fl / Flickr

Massachusetts: Hampden County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 26.1% (Massachusetts: 20.0%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 95.2% (Massachusetts: 94.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 30.5% (Massachusetts: 25.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.0% (Massachusetts: 8.7%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.1% (Massachusetts: 13.5%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.5 (Massachusetts: 3.5)

Source: By Notorious4life (talk) (Uploads) - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80512953

Michigan: Roscommon County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 37.7% (Michigan: 23.1%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 99.4% (Michigan: 85.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 41.0% (Michigan: 32.4%)
> Adults with diabetes: 14.4% (Michigan: 11.0%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.2% (Michigan: 18.3%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.3 (Michigan: 4.3)

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

Minnesota: Wilkin County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 33.0% (Minnesota: 19.6%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 62.1% (Minnesota: 86.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 33.4% (Minnesota: 29.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 13.0% (Minnesota: 8.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.5% (Minnesota: 12.9%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.4 (Minnesota: 3.1)

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

Mississippi: Sharkey County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 45.7% (Mississippi: 30.4%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 2.0% (Mississippi: 54.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 42.0% (Mississippi: 39.1%)
> Adults with diabetes: 14.4% (Mississippi: 14.6%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 35.0% (Mississippi: 22.1%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.9 (Mississippi: 4.5)

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

Missouri: Dunklin County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 42.9% (Missouri: 25.5%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 68.2% (Missouri: 76.7%)
> Adult obesity rate: 41.7% (Missouri: 32.5%)
> Adults with diabetes: 17.9% (Missouri: 11.4%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 29.2% (Missouri: 19.5%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 6 (Missouri: 4.2)

Source: By J.B. Chandler - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28365070

Montana: Phillips County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 33.5% (Montana: 21.7%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 64.6% (Montana: 75.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 36.4% (Montana: 27.1%)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.3% (Montana: 8.9%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.7% (Montana: 14.1%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.3 (Montana: 3.6)

Source: Ali Eminor / Flickr

Nebraska: Burt County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 34.0% (Nebraska: 22.7%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 47.1% (Nebraska: 83.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 37.1% (Nebraska: 33.4%)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.8% (Nebraska: 10.0%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 15.4% (Nebraska: 13.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.7 (Nebraska: 3.2)

Source: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons

Nevada: Mineral County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 31.0% (Nevada: 22.5%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 77.2% (Nevada: 93.0%)
> Adult obesity rate: 38.3% (Nevada: 27.1%)
> Adults with diabetes: 17.8% (Nevada: 10.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 24.4% (Nevada: 19.1%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.6 (Nevada: 4.2)

Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images

New Hampshire: Coos County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 26.2% (New Hampshire: 20.8%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 73.5% (New Hampshire: 88.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 36.7% (New Hampshire: 28.6%)
> Adults with diabetes: 14.5% (New Hampshire: 9.6%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.5% (New Hampshire: 12.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.2 (New Hampshire: 3.5)

Source: dougtone / Flickr

New Jersey: Salem County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 32.6% (New Jersey: 26.6%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 69.5% (New Jersey: 94.7%)
> Adult obesity rate: 39.0% (New Jersey: 27.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 15.6% (New Jersey: 9.9%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.0% (New Jersey: 15.5%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.4 (New Jersey: 3.7)

Source: RAUL RODRIGUEZ / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

New Mexico: Luna County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 32.6% (New Mexico: 19.0%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 70.2% (New Mexico: 76.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 34.7% (New Mexico: 27.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 11.3% (New Mexico: 9.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 30.0% (New Mexico: 20.3%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.2 (New Mexico: 4.3)

Source: onasill / Flickr

New York: Orleans County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 32.3% (New York: 23.4%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 76.3% (New York: 93.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 36.9% (New York: 26.4%)
> Adults with diabetes: 15.7% (New York: 10.1%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.5% (New York: 16.3%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.9 (New York: 3.6)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

North Carolina: Hertford County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 41.7% (North Carolina: 23.3%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 59.3% (North Carolina: 73.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 48.5% (North Carolina: 32.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 25.2% (North Carolina: 11.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.9% (North Carolina: 18.0%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.7 (North Carolina: 3.6)

Source: sbamueller / Flickr

North Dakota: Sheridan County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 39.5% (North Dakota: 23.1%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 46.9% (North Dakota: 74.0%)
> Adult obesity rate: 35.0% (North Dakota: 33.9%)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.5% (North Dakota: 9.4%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.4% (North Dakota: 13.6%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.9 (North Dakota: 3.2)

Source: dok1 / Flickr

Ohio: Meigs County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.0% (Ohio: 26.1%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 43.5% (Ohio: 83.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 41.2% (Ohio: 33.5%)
> Adults with diabetes: 18.7% (Ohio: 12.2%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.3% (Ohio: 17.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.1 (Ohio: 4.1)

Source: By Crimsonedge34 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35351304 / Wikimedia Commons

Oklahoma: Tillman County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 43.3% (Oklahoma: 27.8%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 56.3% (Oklahoma: 71.3%)
> Adult obesity rate: 46.4% (Oklahoma: 34.5%)
> Adults with diabetes: 20.8% (Oklahoma: 12.3%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.4% (Oklahoma: 20.9%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.2 (Oklahoma: 4.5)

Source: Rex_Wholster / iStock via Getty Images

Oregon: Sherman County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 27.5% (Oregon: 17.3%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 57.0% (Oregon: 87.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 35.1% (Oregon: 29.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.6% (Oregon: 9.7%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.3% (Oregon: 18.2%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.6 (Oregon: 4.7)

Source: Courtesy of Jon Dawson via Flickr

Pennsylvania: Armstrong County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 34.0% (Pennsylvania: 22.0%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 78.5% (Pennsylvania: 84.4%)
> Adult obesity rate: 44.0% (Pennsylvania: 30.8%)
> Adults with diabetes: 15.1% (Pennsylvania: 11.0%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.7% (Pennsylvania: 17.6%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.3 (Pennsylvania: 4)

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

Rhode Island: Providence County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 25.4% (Rhode Island: 23.5%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 96.3% (Rhode Island: 94.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 29.5% (Rhode Island: 28.5%)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.6% (Rhode Island: 10.1%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.5% (Rhode Island: 16.5%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.5 (Rhode Island: 3.9)

Source: Courtesy of Ffuhr via Wikimedia Commons

South Carolina: Hampton County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 37.5% (South Carolina: 26.0%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 44.8% (South Carolina: 68.3%)
> Adult obesity rate: 39.7% (South Carolina: 34.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 17.9% (South Carolina: 13.3%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.7% (South Carolina: 17.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.9 (South Carolina: 4)

Source: By Betsy Armour - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62269289

South Dakota: Roberts County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 37.8% (South Dakota: 22.0%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 33.5% (South Dakota: 73.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 40.6% (South Dakota: 32.4%)
> Adults with diabetes: 16.6% (South Dakota: 10.1%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.7% (South Dakota: 13.4%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.3 (South Dakota: 3)

Source: By Skye Marthaler - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37822946

Tennessee: Lawrence County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 41.7% (Tennessee: 27.2%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 56.4% (Tennessee: 70.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 37.2% (Tennessee: 33.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 13.4% (Tennessee: 12.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 25.1% (Tennessee: 21.2%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.5 (Tennessee: 4.7)

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Texas: Lamar County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.7% (Texas: 23.2%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 63.6% (Texas: 80.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 34.2% (Texas: 31.4%)
> Adults with diabetes: 15.7% (Texas: 10.2%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.9% (Texas: 18.7%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.7 (Texas: 3.8)

Source: Acroterion / Wikimedia Commons

Utah: Rich County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 31.0% (Utah: 16.7%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 43.0% (Utah: 85.7%)
> Adult obesity rate: 24.6% (Utah: 27.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.7% (Utah: 7.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 15.5% (Utah: 14.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4 (Utah: 3.5)

Source: AlexiusHoratius / Wikipedia.org

Vermont: Essex County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 27.6% (Vermont: 18.4%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 43.6% (Vermont: 75.8%)
> Adult obesity rate: 30.2% (Vermont: 27.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 13.0% (Vermont: 8.8%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.0% (Vermont: 12.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.4 (Vermont: 3.7)

Source: Kipp Teague / Flickr

Virginia: Franklin city
> Adults who don’t exercise: 44.0% (Virginia: 22.2%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 45.3% (Virginia: 82.4%)
> Adult obesity rate: 37.8% (Virginia: 30.5%)
> Adults with diabetes: 16.2% (Virginia: 10.7%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 24.6% (Virginia: 16.6%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.7 (Virginia: 3.5)

Source: Craig Baker / iStock via Getty Images

Washington: Pend Oreille County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 27.7% (Washington: 16.4%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 58.8% (Washington: 86.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 41.6% (Washington: 28.6%)
> Adults with diabetes: 12.5% (Washington: 9.3%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.8% (Washington: 15.0%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.8 (Washington: 3.7)

Source: FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore / Wikimedia Commons

West Virginia: Mingo County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 45.7% (West Virginia: 28.0%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 52.6% (West Virginia: 59.4%)
> Adult obesity rate: 41.9% (West Virginia: 37.8%)
> Adults with diabetes: 22.1% (West Virginia: 15.1%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 32.9% (West Virginia: 23.6%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 6.9 (West Virginia: 5.3)

Source: J. Stephen Conn / Flickr

Wisconsin: Rusk County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 33.6% (Wisconsin: 20.3%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 40.7% (Wisconsin: 85.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 24.9% (Wisconsin: 31.7%)
> Adults with diabetes: 9.3% (Wisconsin: 9.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.8% (Wisconsin: 14.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.5 (Wisconsin: 3.7)

Source: Chris Light / Wikimedia Commons

Wyoming: Goshen County
> Adults who don’t exercise: 32.6% (Wyoming: 23.1%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 70.3% (Wyoming: 76.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 32.1% (Wyoming: 29.2%)
> Adults with diabetes: 9.9% (Wyoming: 9.0%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.3% (Wyoming: 15.3%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.7 (Wyoming: 3.5)

 

Methodology

To determine the laziest county in every state, 24/7 Tempo reviewed adult physical inactivity rates from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program’s 2021 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps report. 

The physical inactivity rate is defined as the share of adults 20 years and older who report no leisure-time physical activity. While the CHR report is from 2021, physical inactivity figures published in the report are from 2017.

Of the 3,220 counties or county equivalents, 3,141 had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states, while the rest were in the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico.

Counties with a 2019 five-year population estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau of less than 1,000 were excluded.

The remaining 3,105 places were ranked within their state based on the adult physical inactivity rate. Additional information on the share of the population with adequate access to locations for physical activity, the share of adults 20 years and older who report a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher (adult obesity rate), the share of adults 20 years and older with diagnosed diabetes, the share of adults reporting poor or fair health, and the average number of physically unhealthy days reported in the past 30 days also came from the 2021 CHR.

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