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.
Click here to see the least obese county in every state.
Click here to see our methodology.
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
See all stories featuring: Alabama
[in-text-ad]
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
See all stories featuring: Alaska
24/7 Wall St.
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
See all stories featuring: Arizona
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
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
[in-text-ad-2]
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
See all stories featuring: California
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
See all stories featuring: Colorado
[in-text-ad]
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
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
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
See all stories featuring: Delaware
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
See all stories featuring: Florida
[in-text-ad-2]
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
See all stories featuring: Georgia
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
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
[in-text-ad]
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
See all stories featuring: Idaho
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
See all stories featuring: Illinois
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
See all stories featuring: Indiana
[in-text-ad-2]
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
See all stories featuring: Iowa
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
See all stories featuring: Kansas
[in-text-ad]
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
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
24/7 Wall St.
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
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
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
See all stories featuring: Maine
[in-text-ad-2]
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
See all stories featuring: Maryland
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
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
[in-text-ad]
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
See all stories featuring: Michigan
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
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
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
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
[in-text-ad-2]
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
See all stories featuring: Missouri
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
See all stories featuring: Montana
[in-text-ad]
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
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
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
See all stories featuring: Nevada
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
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
[in-text-ad-2]
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
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
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
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
[in-text-ad]
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
See all stories featuring: New York
24/7 Wall St.
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
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
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
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
[in-text-ad-2]
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
See all stories featuring: Ohio
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
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
[in-text-ad]
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
See all stories featuring: Oregon
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
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
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
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
[in-text-ad-2]
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
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
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
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
[in-text-ad]
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
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
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
See all stories featuring: Texas
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
See all stories featuring: Utah
[in-text-ad-2]
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
See all stories featuring: Vermont
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
See all stories featuring: Virginia
[in-text-ad]
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
See all stories featuring: Washington
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
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
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
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
[in-text-ad-2]
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
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
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.
Sponsored: Attention Savvy Investors: Speak to 3 Financial Experts – FREE
Ever wanted an extra set of eyes on an investment you’re considering? Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply
clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help guide you through the financial decisions you’re making. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
