Home

 › 

Health

 › 

This Is America’s Least Obese County

This Is America’s Least Obese County

Obesity has become an epidemic in America. An estimated 35% or more of adults had obesity in 16 states, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study. Most of these states are in the South and Midwest. Obesity levels vary nationwide, and America’s least obese county is Teton County, Wyoming.

The cost of obesity to human life is extraordinary. Obesity can increase the risk of several diseases, depression, and early death. On a financial level, obesity triggers medical costs of $147 billion a year, according to another CDC study. (These are healthy foods that are actually ruining your diet.)

Obesity status is determined by body mass index, which is a ratio determined by height and body weight. Americans with a BMI of 30 or higher are considered obese and therefore at greater risk of diabetes, stroke, hypertension, heart disease, breathing problems, certain cancers, and mortality, according to the CDC. Obesity also can detract from overall quality of life and contribute to depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses.

While the United States has one of the highest obesity rates in the world, there are parts of the country where obesity remains relatively uncommon. Using adult obesity rates data from the 2021 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 24/7 Wall St. identified the least obese county in the United States. (This is Americas most obese state.)

Most counties with low obesity levels are located in the West, including 15 counties in Colorado and 10 in California.

The county with the lowest obesity level in America is Teton County, Wyoming. Here are the details:

Adult obesity rate: 11.0%
Adults who do not exercise: 10.8% (fifth lowest)
Adults with diabetes: 2.4% (the lowest)
Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.4% (36th lowest)

Methodology

To determine America’s least obese county, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed adult obesity 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 adult obesity rate is defined as the share of adults 20 years and older who report a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher. While the CHR report is from 2021, obesity rate figures published in the report are from 2017.

Of the 3,220 counties or county-equivalents considered, 3,142 had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. Counties with a 2019 five-year population estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau of less than 1,000 were excluded.

The remaining 3,106 places were ranked based on the adult obesity rate. Additional information on the share of adults who report no leisure-time physical activity, who are diagnosed with diabetes, and who report fair or poor health also came from the 2021 CHR.

Source: Carsten Schertzer / iStock via Getty Images

50. Ventura County, California
> Adult obesity rate: 20.2%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 18.1% — 201st lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 8.7% — 490th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.6% — 1,101st lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: Aualliso / Wikimedia Commons

49. Stonewall County, Texas
> Adult obesity rate: 20.2%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 21.2% — 534th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 10.2% — 974th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.9% — 1,262nd highest of 3,106 counties

Source: Courtesy of Riverside USD 114

48. Douglas County, Colorado
> Adult obesity rate: 20.1%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 9.0% — 2nd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 5.6% — 28th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 8.6% — the lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: denverjeffrey / Flickr

47. Montrose County, Colorado
> Adult obesity rate: 20.1%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 19.0% — 285th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 8.2% — 323rd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.4% — 1,062nd lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: Konrad Roeder / Wikimedia Commons

46. San Juan County, Washington
> Adult obesity rate: 20.1%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 14.1% — 37th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 6.1% — 53rd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.0% — 157th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: texasbackroads / Flickr

45. Mitchell County, Texas
> Adult obesity rate: 20.1%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 19.0% — 275th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 19.4% — 135th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.7% — 770th highest of 3,106 counties

Source: geewhypics / Flickr

44. Real County, Texas
> Adult obesity rate: 20.0%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 21.5% — 579th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 9.0% — 571st lowest of 3,106 counties (tied)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 25.0% — 561st highest of 3,106 counties

Source: SpVVK / iStock

43. Santa Clara County, California
> Adult obesity rate: 19.9%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 15.8% — 83rd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 8.5% — 417th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 14.3% — 381st lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images

42. Orange County, California
> Adult obesity rate: 19.9%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 14.5% — 46th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 8.6% — 448th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.9% — 924th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: Ebyabe / Wikimedia Commons

41. Martin County, Florida
> Adult obesity rate: 19.9%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 22.5% — 740th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 10.2% — 958th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.2% — 780th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: kenlund / Flickr

40. Talbot County, Georgia
> Adult obesity rate: 19.7%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 29.9% — 900th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 25.5% — 8th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.0% — 428th highest of 3,106 counties

Source: Aualliso / Wikimedia Commons

39. Concho County, Texas
> Adult obesity rate: 19.6%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 21.3% — 536th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 5.7% — 32nd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 28.0% — 213th highest of 3,106 counties

Source: AlizadaStudios / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

38. Swisher County, Texas
> Adult obesity rate: 19.6%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 19.1% — 293rd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 8.4% — 382nd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 29.2% — 146th highest of 3,106 counties

Source: Aualliso / Wikimedia Commons

37. Cottle County, Texas
> Adult obesity rate: 19.5%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 22.2% — 679th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 15.1% — 663rd highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 28.2% — 194th highest of 3,106 counties

Source: bauhaus1000 / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

36. Broomfield County, Colorado
> Adult obesity rate: 19.5%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 12.1% — 13th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 6.9% — 107th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 10.0% — 6th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: benedek / Getty Images

35. Santa Cruz County, California
> Adult obesity rate: 19.3%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 11.1% — 6th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 6.2% — 62nd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.3% — 790th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: anniam / Getty Images

34. Gallatin County, Montana
> Adult obesity rate: 19.1%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 12.8% — 21st lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 5.1% — 15th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.3% — 31st lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons

33. Garza County, Texas
> Adult obesity rate: 19.1%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 18.1% — 204th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 5.7% — 35th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 28.1% — 198th highest of 3,106 counties

Source: Nonaeroterraqueous / Wikimedia Commons

32. Sierra County, California
> Adult obesity rate: 19.1%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 26.0% — 1,464th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 7.0% — 120th lowest of 3,106 counties (tied)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.0% — 959th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: Teacherdad48 / iStock

31. Teton County, Idaho
> Adult obesity rate: 18.9%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 17.3% — 146th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 5.1% — 11th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 14.0% — 326th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: jsjgeology / Flickr

30. Montgomery County, Missouri
> Adult obesity rate: 18.7%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 26.1% — 1,466th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 7.3% — 158th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 22.9% — 899th highest of 3,106 counties

Source: 0ccam / Flickr

29. Runnels County, Texas
> Adult obesity rate: 18.7%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 20.1% — 398th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 8.4% — 406th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.3% — 830th highest of 3,106 counties

Source: benedek / Getty Images

28. Arlington County, Virginia
> Adult obesity rate: 18.6%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 12.2% — 15th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 5.1% — 13th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.2% — 28th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: TSolie / Getty Images

27. Park County, Colorado
> Adult obesity rate: 18.5%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 17.2% — 142nd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 5.6% — 29th lowest of 3,106 counties (tied)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.8% — 56th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: Nyttend / Wikimedia Commons

26. Pulaski County, Illinois
> Adult obesity rate: 18.5%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 18.3% — 223rd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 8.4% — 407th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.9% — 711th highest of 3,106 counties

Source: aspidoscelis / Flickr

25. La Plata County, Colorado
> Adult obesity rate: 18.2%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 13.5% — 26th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 5.4% — 22nd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.7% — 121st lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: alacatr / iStock via Getty Images

24. Nevada County, California
> Adult obesity rate: 18.1%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 13.8% — 32nd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 5.5% — 25th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.9% — 302nd lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: Adam-Springer / Getty Images

23. Grand County, Colorado
> Adult obesity rate: 18.0%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 13.7% — 31st lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 6.5% — 78th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.1% — 177th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images

22. Alexander County, Illinois
> Adult obesity rate: 17.9%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 18.5% — 244th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 5.3% — 19th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.0% — 422nd highest of 3,106 counties

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

21. Dickens County, Texas
> Adult obesity rate: 17.8%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 18.6% — 245th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 6.5% — 85th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 24.5% — 627th highest of 3,106 counties

Source: Spondylolithesis / Getty Images

20. Marin County, California
> Adult obesity rate: 17.6%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 13.1% — 22nd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 8.2% — 330th lowest of 3,106 counties (tied)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.8% — 55th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: kenlund / Flickr

19. Denver County, Colorado
> Adult obesity rate: 17.3%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 12.6% — 18th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 5.1% — 14th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 15.5% — 628th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: Nicolas McComber / Getty Images

18. San Francisco County, California
> Adult obesity rate: 16.9%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 14.6% — 49th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 6.1% — 54th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.6% — 119th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: Tomás Guardia Bencomo / iStock via Getty Images

17. Alpine County, California
> Adult obesity rate: 16.8%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 20.2% — 411th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 6.8% — 105th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.3% — 1,394th highest of 3,106 counties

Source: mwichary / Flickr

16. Blaine County, Idaho
> Adult obesity rate: 16.5%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 14.2% — 41st lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 5.9% — 44th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.1% — 753rd lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: EunikaSopotnicka / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

15. Taos County, New Mexico
> Adult obesity rate: 16.3%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 12.3% — 16th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 7.2% — 153rd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.4% — 1,175th highest of 3,106 counties

Source: denverjeffrey / Flickr

14. Chaffee County, Colorado
> Adult obesity rate: 16.3%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 15.5% — 71st lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 8.1% — 314th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 14.1% — 343rd lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: SEASTOCK / iStock

13. San Miguel County, Colorado
> Adult obesity rate: 16.2%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 15.5% — 70th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 3.5% — 3rd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.0% — 18th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: sboice / iStock

12. Eagle County, Colorado
> Adult obesity rate: 16.1%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 11.6% — 9th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 4.3% — 6th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.9% — 143rd lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: kenluпd / Flickr

11. Santa Fe County, New Mexico
> Adult obesity rate: 16.1%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 12.7% — 19th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 6.1% — 55th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.8% — 1,144th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: bauhaus1000 / Getty Images

10. Routt County, Colorado
> Adult obesity rate: 16.1%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 10.2% — 4th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 5.3% — 18th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.2% — 26th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: gregobagel / iStock via Getty Images

9. New York County, New York
> Adult obesity rate: 15.6%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 16.8% — 129th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 6.8% — 102nd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 15.6% — 636th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: kenluпd / Flickr

8. Mariposa County, California
> Adult obesity rate: 15.6%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 17.9% — 185th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 8.2% — 344th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.1% — 977th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: Jens_Lambert_Photography / iStock

7. Summit County, Colorado
> Adult obesity rate: 15.4%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 10.2% — 3rd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 4.0% — 5th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.9% — 59th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: Darren_Bridges_Photography / iStock

6. Pitkin County, Colorado
> Adult obesity rate: 14.7%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 12.3% — 17th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 3.9% — 4th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 9.8% — 4th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: J. Stephen Conn / Flickr

5. Summit County, Utah
> Adult obesity rate: 14.5%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 12.2% — 14th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 4.8% — 9th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 10.9% — 16th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: geewhypics / Flickr

4. Boulder County, Colorado
> Adult obesity rate: 14.3%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 8.9% — the lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 5.5% — 24th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.2% — 27th lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: denverjeffrey / Flickr

3. Gunnison County, Colorado
> Adult obesity rate: 14.2%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 12.0% — 12th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 3.1% — 2nd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.3% — 82nd lowest of 3,106 counties

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

2. Taliaferro County, Georgia
> Adult obesity rate: 12.5%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 27.3% — 1,359th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 13.0% — 1,165th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 29.2% — 145th highest of 3,106 counties

Source: Justinreznick / iStock

1. Teton County, Wyoming
> Adult obesity rate: 11.0%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 10.8% — 5th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 2.4% — the lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.4% — 36th lowest of 3,106 counties

To top