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.
While insufficient exercise is a major public health challenge in the United States, there are parts of the country where adults are far more likely than average to lead active lifestyles.
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 most physically active metropolitan area in each state. Metro areas are ranked by the share of adults 20 or older who report some leisure time physical activity. Four states — Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont — have only one metro area. As a result, these areas rank as the most active in their state by default only.
Though each metro on this list ranks as the most physically active in its state, the share of adults who exercise with some regularity varies considerably in these places — from about 69% to over 90%. Nationwide, 77.3% of adults exercise in their leisure time.
Given the benefits associated with regular exercise, it is perhaps not surprising that overall health outcomes are often better in places where larger shares of the population are physically active. For example, in the majority of metro areas on this list, both the obesity rate and the share of adults who report being in fair or poor health are lower than the respective statewide averages. Here is a look at the most obese states in America.
Click here to see the most active metro in every state
Click here to read our detailed methodology
Source: AuburnPilot / Wikimedia Commons
Alabama: Auburn-Opelika
> Adults who exercise: 80.1% (Alabama: 70.7%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 67.7% (Alabama: 61.1%)
> Adult obesity rate: 30.8% (Alabama: 36.1%)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.3% (Alabama: 14.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.0% (Alabama: 21.4%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.6 (Alabama: 4.4)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Chilkoot / Getty Images
Alaska: Anchorage
> Adults who exercise: 82.2% (Alaska: 80.7%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 100.0% (Alaska: 100.0%)
> Adult obesity rate: 31.3% (Alaska: 31.9%)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.5% (Alaska: 8.3%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 14.8% (Alaska: 15.6%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.8 (Alaska: 4.1)
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
Arizona: Flagstaff
> Adults who exercise: 83.5% (Arizona: 78.8%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 82.9% (Arizona: 85.1%)
> Adult obesity rate: 24.5% (Arizona: 27.9%)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.7% (Arizona: 9.6%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.9% (Arizona: 18.6%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.3 (Arizona: 4.2)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Arkansas: Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers
> Adults who exercise: 75.6% (Arkansas: 69.6%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 79.1% (Arkansas: 63.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 31.6% (Arkansas: 35.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 9.6% (Arkansas: 13.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.8% (Arkansas: 23.3%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.4 (Arkansas: 4.8)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Robert Campbell / Wikimedia Commons
California: Santa Cruz-Watsonville
> Adults who exercise: 88.9% (California: 82.3%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 94.0% (California: 93.1%)
> Adult obesity rate: 19.3% (California: 24.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 6.2% (California: 8.8%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.3% (California: 17.6%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4 (California: 3.9)
Source: beklaus / E+ via Getty Images
Colorado: Boulder
> Adults who exercise: 91.1% (Colorado: 85.2%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 96.2% (Colorado: 90.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 14.3% (Colorado: 22.4%)
> Adults with diabetes: 5.5% (Colorado: 6.6%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.2% (Colorado: 13.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3 (Colorado: 3.3)
[in-text-ad]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
Connecticut: Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk
> Adults who exercise: 82.7% (Connecticut: 80.1%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 96.8% (Connecticut: 94.0%)
> Adult obesity rate: 21.2% (Connecticut: 26.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.3% (Connecticut: 9.2%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.9% (Connecticut: 13.0%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.2 (Connecticut: 3.3)
Source: traveler1116 / Getty Images
Delaware: Dover*
> Adults who exercise: 69.1% (Delaware: 72.7%)
> 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)
*Because Dover is the only eligible metro in Delaware, it is the most active metro by default.
Source: Michael Warren / Getty Images
Florida: The Villages
> Adults who exercise: 77.4% (Florida: 74.2%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 82.1% (Florida: 88.7%)
> Adult obesity rate: 29.3% (Florida: 27.2%)
> Adults with diabetes: 16.6% (Florida: 10.8%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.6% (Florida: 19.5%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4 (Florida: 4)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: ferrantraite / E+ via Getty Images
Georgia: Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta
> Adults who exercise: 76.2% (Georgia: 73.6%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 84.3% (Georgia: 75.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 30.2% (Georgia: 32.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.5% (Georgia: 12.0%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.8% (Georgia: 18.4%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.7 (Georgia: 3.9)
Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images
Hawaii: Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina
> Adults who exercise: 82.3% (Hawaii: 80.4%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 92.5% (Hawaii: 92.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 24.6% (Hawaii: 24.6%)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.3% (Hawaii: 11.1%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 14.7% (Hawaii: 15.4%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.4 (Hawaii: 3.2)
[in-text-ad]
Source: vkbhat / Getty Images
Idaho: Boise City
> Adults who exercise: 81.5% (Idaho: 79.6%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 84.9% (Idaho: 78.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 28.4% (Idaho: 29.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.7% (Idaho: 9.3%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 15.5% (Idaho: 15.1%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.8 (Idaho: 3.7)
Source: xavierarnau / E+ via Getty Images
Illinois: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
> Adults who exercise: 79.9% (Illinois: 78.4%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 97.4% (Illinois: 90.8%)
> Adult obesity rate: 28.9% (Illinois: 29.7%)
> Adults with diabetes: 9.4% (Illinois: 9.9%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.0% (Illinois: 15.9%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.7 (Illinois: 3.6)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Indiana: Bloomington
> Adults who exercise: 78.7% (Indiana: 73.3%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 82.0% (Indiana: 75.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 26.1% (Indiana: 33.9%)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.5% (Indiana: 12.1%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.8% (Indiana: 18.2%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.2 (Indiana: 4)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Wolterk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Iowa: Ames
> Adults who exercise: 83.5% (Iowa: 77.4%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 93.1% (Iowa: 82.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 28.9% (Iowa: 34.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.9% (Iowa: 9.9%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.8% (Iowa: 13.5%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.3 (Iowa: 3.1)
Source: Ian Ballinger / Wikimedia Commons
Kansas: Lawrence
> Adults who exercise: 83.7% (Kansas: 76.1%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 91.0% (Kansas: 80.1%)
> Adult obesity rate: 28.0% (Kansas: 33.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.0% (Kansas: 10.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 14.8% (Kansas: 16.3%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.5 (Kansas: 3.6)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
Kentucky: Lexington-Fayette
> Adults who exercise: 76.3% (Kentucky: 71.3%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 91.3% (Kentucky: 71.1%)
> Adult obesity rate: 30.8% (Kentucky: 34.6%)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.0% (Kentucky: 12.7%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.7% (Kentucky: 21.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.5 (Kentucky: 4.6)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
Louisiana: New Orleans-Metairie
> Adults who exercise: 76.0% (Louisiana: 72.0%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 88.6% (Louisiana: 75.0%)
> Adult obesity rate: 33.0% (Louisiana: 36.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 12.5% (Louisiana: 13.0%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.6% (Louisiana: 21.4%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.2 (Louisiana: 4.3)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
Maine: Portland-South Portland
> Adults who exercise: 82.6% (Maine: 79.2%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 81.4% (Maine: 70.0%)
> Adult obesity rate: 25.9% (Maine: 29.8%)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.9% (Maine: 10.4%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.2% (Maine: 17.1%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.4 (Maine: 4.2)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
Maryland: Baltimore-Columbia-Towson
> Adults who exercise: 77.6% (Maryland: 78.1%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 94.8% (Maryland: 92.6%)
> Adult obesity rate: 31.5% (Maryland: 31.6%)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.9% (Maryland: 11.1%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.1% (Maryland: 15.2%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.5 (Maryland: 3.4)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
Massachusetts: Barnstable Town
> Adults who exercise: 82.8% (Massachusetts: 80.0%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 91.6% (Massachusetts: 94.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 22.5% (Massachusetts: 25.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.1% (Massachusetts: 8.7%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.7% (Massachusetts: 13.5%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.4 (Massachusetts: 3.5)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
Michigan: Ann Arbor
> Adults who exercise: 84.9% (Michigan: 76.9%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 90.2% (Michigan: 85.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 25.5% (Michigan: 32.4%)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.5% (Michigan: 11.0%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 14.4% (Michigan: 18.3%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.8 (Michigan: 4.3)
Source: Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images
Minnesota: Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington
> Adults who exercise: 82.4% (Minnesota: 80.4%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 94.8% (Minnesota: 86.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 27.1% (Minnesota: 29.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.8% (Minnesota: 8.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.0% (Minnesota: 12.9%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.2 (Minnesota: 3.1)
Source: dszc / iStock via Getty Images
Mississippi: Gulfport-Biloxi
> Adults who exercise: 72.8% (Mississippi: 69.6%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 70.7% (Mississippi: 54.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 35.3% (Mississippi: 39.1%)
> Adults with diabetes: 12.1% (Mississippi: 14.6%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.3% (Mississippi: 22.1%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.4 (Mississippi: 4.5)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Stephen Emlund / iStock via Getty Images
Missouri: Columbia
> Adults who exercise: 81.3% (Missouri: 74.5%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 82.7% (Missouri: 76.7%)
> Adult obesity rate: 28.1% (Missouri: 32.5%)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.2% (Missouri: 11.4%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.0% (Missouri: 19.5%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4 (Missouri: 4.2)
Source: Ken Eckert / Wikimedia Commons
Montana: Missoula
> Adults who exercise: 82.1% (Montana: 78.3%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 92.6% (Montana: 75.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 21.4% (Montana: 27.1%)
> Adults with diabetes: 6.5% (Montana: 8.9%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.2% (Montana: 14.1%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.5 (Montana: 3.6)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Miriam Bade / iStock via Getty Images
Nebraska: Lincoln
> Adults who exercise: 82.4% (Nebraska: 77.3%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 94.8% (Nebraska: 83.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 30.0% (Nebraska: 33.4%)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.2% (Nebraska: 10.0%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.5% (Nebraska: 13.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.1 (Nebraska: 3.2)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: photoquest7 / Getty Images
Nevada: Reno
> Adults who exercise: 82.1% (Nevada: 77.5%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 91.2% (Nevada: 93.0%)
> Adult obesity rate: 23.7% (Nevada: 27.1%)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.9% (Nevada: 10.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.1% (Nevada: 19.1%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.3 (Nevada: 4.2)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
New Hampshire: Manchester-Nashua*
> Adults who exercise: 78.3% (New Hampshire: 79.2%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 91.7% (New Hampshire: 88.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 28.5% (New Hampshire: 28.6%)
> Adults with diabetes: 9.7% (New Hampshire: 9.6%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.2% (New Hampshire: 12.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.4 (New Hampshire: 3.5)
*Because Manchester-Nashua is the only eligible metro in New Hampshire, it is the most active metro by default.
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
New Jersey: Trenton-Princeton
> Adults who exercise: 74.2% (New Jersey: 73.4%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 99.2% (New Jersey: 94.7%)
> Adult obesity rate: 27.5% (New Jersey: 27.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.3% (New Jersey: 9.9%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.8% (New Jersey: 15.5%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.8 (New Jersey: 3.7)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
New Mexico: Santa Fe
> Adults who exercise: 87.3% (New Mexico: 81.0%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 78.7% (New Mexico: 76.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 16.1% (New Mexico: 27.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 6.1% (New Mexico: 9.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.8% (New Mexico: 20.3%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4 (New Mexico: 4.3)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Maeshima hiroki / Wikimedia Commons
New York: Ithaca
> Adults who exercise: 85.4% (New York: 76.6%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 86.2% (New York: 93.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 23.0% (New York: 26.4%)
> Adults with diabetes: 6.5% (New York: 10.1%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.5% (New York: 16.3%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.5 (New York: 3.6)
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
North Carolina: Raleigh-Cary
> Adults who exercise: 82.5% (North Carolina: 76.7%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 85.5% (North Carolina: 73.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 29.3% (North Carolina: 32.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 9.3% (North Carolina: 11.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 14.9% (North Carolina: 18.0%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.4 (North Carolina: 3.6)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
North Dakota: Fargo
> Adults who exercise: 81.0% (North Dakota: 76.9%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 86.8% (North Dakota: 74.0%)
> Adult obesity rate: 31.9% (North Dakota: 33.9%)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.6% (North Dakota: 9.4%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.6% (North Dakota: 13.6%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.2 (North Dakota: 3.2)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean Reid / iStock via Getty Images
Ohio: Columbus
> Adults who exercise: 76.7% (Ohio: 73.9%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 89.3% (Ohio: 83.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 31.7% (Ohio: 33.5%)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.6% (Ohio: 12.2%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.2% (Ohio: 17.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.8 (Ohio: 4.1)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City
> Adults who exercise: 74.7% (Oklahoma: 72.2%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 84.3% (Oklahoma: 71.3%)
> Adult obesity rate: 34.0% (Oklahoma: 34.5%)
> Adults with diabetes: 11.2% (Oklahoma: 12.3%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.5% (Oklahoma: 20.9%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.4 (Oklahoma: 4.5)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Earthly-Halo / iStock via Getty Images
Oregon: Corvallis
> Adults who exercise: 86.1% (Oregon: 82.7%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 90.3% (Oregon: 87.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 21.6% (Oregon: 29.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 5.7% (Oregon: 9.7%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.1% (Oregon: 18.2%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.1 (Oregon: 4.7)
Source: benedek / iStock via Getty Images
Pennsylvania: State College
> Adults who exercise: 81.7% (Pennsylvania: 78.0%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 86.3% (Pennsylvania: 84.4%)
> Adult obesity rate: 24.0% (Pennsylvania: 30.8%)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.9% (Pennsylvania: 11.0%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.0% (Pennsylvania: 17.6%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.8 (Pennsylvania: 4)
Source: Pi.1415926535 / Wikimedia Commons
Rhode Island: Providence-Warwick*
> Adults who exercise: 76.2% (Rhode Island: 76.5%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 95.1% (Rhode Island: 94.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 28.6% (Rhode Island: 28.5%)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.1% (Rhode Island: 10.1%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.8% (Rhode Island: 16.5%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.2 (Rhode Island: 3.9)
*Because Providence-Warwick is the only eligible metro in Rhode Island, it is the most active metro by default.
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
South Carolina: Hilton Head Island-Bluffton
> Adults who exercise: 81.9% (South Carolina: 74.0%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 78.9% (South Carolina: 68.3%)
> Adult obesity rate: 26.6% (South Carolina: 34.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 9.5% (South Carolina: 13.3%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 15.7% (South Carolina: 17.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.7 (South Carolina: 4)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
South Dakota: Sioux Falls
> Adults who exercise: 79.2% (South Dakota: 78.0%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 86.9% (South Dakota: 73.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 31.4% (South Dakota: 32.4%)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.8% (South Dakota: 10.1%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.3% (South Dakota: 13.4%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3 (South Dakota: 3)
[in-text-ad]
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
Tennessee: Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin
> Adults who exercise: 76.1% (Tennessee: 72.8%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 75.6% (Tennessee: 70.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 30.0% (Tennessee: 33.3%)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.0% (Tennessee: 12.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.7% (Tennessee: 21.2%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.3 (Tennessee: 4.7)
Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
Texas: Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown
> Adults who exercise: 82.9% (Texas: 76.8%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 87.1% (Texas: 80.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 26.9% (Texas: 31.4%)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.9% (Texas: 10.2%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.3% (Texas: 18.7%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.5 (Texas: 3.8)
Source: Javin Weaver / Wikimedia Commons
Utah: Provo-Orem
> Adults who exercise: 85.1% (Utah: 83.3%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 84.3% (Utah: 85.7%)
> Adult obesity rate: 25.8% (Utah: 27.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 6.2% (Utah: 7.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.3% (Utah: 14.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.8 (Utah: 3.5)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: redjar / Flickr
Vermont: Burlington-South Burlington*
> Adults who exercise: 83.4% (Vermont: 81.6%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 77.9% (Vermont: 75.8%)
> Adult obesity rate: 25.4% (Vermont: 27.0%)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.7% (Vermont: 8.8%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.8% (Vermont: 12.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.7 (Vermont: 3.7)
*Because Burlington-South Burlington is the only eligible metro in Vermont, it is the most active metro by default.
Source: littleny / Getty Images
Virginia: Charlottesville
> Adults who exercise: 80.3% (Virginia: 77.8%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 70.6% (Virginia: 82.4%)
> Adult obesity rate: 28.8% (Virginia: 30.5%)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.2% (Virginia: 10.7%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.4% (Virginia: 16.6%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.8 (Virginia: 3.5)
[in-text-ad]
Source: SEASTOCK / Getty Images
Washington: Bellingham
> Adults who exercise: 87.3% (Washington: 83.6%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 85.1% (Washington: 86.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 28.0% (Washington: 28.6%)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.9% (Washington: 9.3%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 15.0% (Washington: 15.0%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.2 (Washington: 3.7)
Source: BackyardProduction / Getty Images
West Virginia: Morgantown
> Adults who exercise: 78.1% (West Virginia: 72.0%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 69.3% (West Virginia: 59.4%)
> Adult obesity rate: 31.8% (West Virginia: 37.8%)
> Adults with diabetes: 11.1% (West Virginia: 15.1%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.8% (West Virginia: 23.6%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.8 (West Virginia: 5.3)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Wisconsin: Madison
> Adults who exercise: 84.5% (Wisconsin: 79.7%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 88.9% (Wisconsin: 85.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 25.9% (Wisconsin: 31.7%)
> Adults with diabetes: 6.6% (Wisconsin: 9.5%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.5% (Wisconsin: 14.8%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.4 (Wisconsin: 3.7)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
Wyoming: Cheyenne
> Adults who exercise: 77.5% (Wyoming: 76.9%)
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 71.3% (Wyoming: 76.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 30.1% (Wyoming: 29.2%)
> Adults with diabetes: 9.9% (Wyoming: 9.0%)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 15.4% (Wyoming: 15.3%)
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 3.8 (Wyoming: 3.5)
To determine the most active metro 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.
We used the 384 metropolitan statistical areas as delineated by the United States Office of Management and Budget and used by the Census Bureau as our definition of metros.
Metros were ranked within their state based on the adult physical inactivity rate. Since many metros cross state lines, the metro was assigned to the state of its first-listed principal city. Thus, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area was excluded as it is principally in the District of Columbia.
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.
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With A Financial Advisor (Sponsored)
Take the quiz below to get matched with a financial advisor today.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the
advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Take the retirement quiz right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
