This Is the Couch Potato Capital of Every State

Obesity has long been regarded as an epidemic across the United States. From 2017 to 2020, nearly 42% of American adults were classified as obese, representing a significant increase from roughly 30% between 1999 and 2000. Although genetics and other external factors play a role for some individuals, personal lifestyle choices around diet and exercise remain critical in addressing this major health issue.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that only about one in four adults engages in regular physical activity that meets federal recommendations for aerobic and muscle-strengthening regimens.

The Department of Health and Human Services advises adults to engage in 150 to 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week, which amounts to approximately 20 to 40 minutes per day. While establishing a consistent exercise routine can seem challenging, studies demonstrate that just 15 minutes of physical activity daily can lead to major health gains.

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. 

Exercise rates vary considerably across the country. 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)