Healthy hotspots: The 25 most physically active counties in the US
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Healthy hotspots: The 25 most physically active counties in the US
Two people running on an empty track at either sunrise or sunset.
Regular physical activity is beneficial for both physical and mental health. But around 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. say they don’t engage in any kind of physical exercise in a typical week, a 2021 report by Ipsos found.
Nearly one-third of U.S. adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depression disorder in 2023, according to Kaiser Family Foundation data. People treated for anxiety, depression, and psychological distress—and who exercise regularly—show fewer and less intense symptoms of those conditions than their fellow patients who don’t exercise, according to a 2023 umbrella review of medical research. The study highlighted that the most significant benefits of physical activity accrue to otherwise healthy individuals, as well as those suffering from depression and HIV.
Many studies have also demonstrated that physical exercise provides sustained boosts to cognitive function. For example, a 2020 meta-analysis of 46 randomized controlled trials established that older adults participating in aerobic activities such as running, swimming, and cycling have stronger cognition abilities and working memory capacity than their less active peers.
Overall, there’s a consensus in the medical scientific community that physical activity is an essential factor in mitigating aging-related cognitive decline.
Northwell Health examined data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual PLACES report, released in 2023, to see which counties had the most physically active adults. The survey, administered in 2021, asked respondents if they had exercised for leisure in the past month. The data measures the share of adults who reported low or no physical activity.
Counties are ranked by the share of adults who reported any level of leisure physical activity, including running, golf, or gardening. The CDC did not include estimates for Florida because they did not meet data eligibility requirements.
The 25 most active counties in the country with at least 10,000 residents are listed below. In the event of a tie, the overall population was used.
Northwell Health
How physical activity varies across the country
A heat map of U.S. counties showing the people in the West are more physically active. A description reads, three out of every four Americans say they exercised for leisure a least once in the past month.
Income is a potent predictor of the time a person devotes to physical exercise. People on lower incomes can face greater challenges when trying to exercise consistently because adequate public spaces may not be available, gym membership and workout equipment are expensive, and they may have less flexible work schedules.
A 2018 research paper found that among adolescents and young adults, people in families with higher incomes, as well as men and white people, were more likely than others to engage in physical activity.
The Peter G. Peterson Foundation reported that, in 2021, households in Northeastern and Western states earned, on average, $7,000 to $15,000 more a year than households in the Midwest and South, respectively. People who live in those regions are more likely to report higher rates of physical activity.
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#25. Eagle, Colorado
Aerial view of a rural neighborhood positioned among snowy hills.
– Total population: 55,727
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 84.6%
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#24. Placer, California
A stately building with a cross atop the domed part of the roof on a sunny day.
– Total population: 412,300
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 84.6%
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#23. Park, Colorado
The terracotta-colored Park County Courthouse.
– Total population: 17,720
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 84.9%
James Meyer // Shutterstock
#22. Ozaukee, Wisconsin
An aerial view of a river running through town at sunset.
– Total population: 92,497
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 85.1%
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#21. Larimer, Colorado
A building complex next to a railway crossing.
– Total population: 362,533
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 85.1%
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#20. Elbert, Colorado
A grassy landscape.
– Total population: 27,128
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 85.3%
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#19. Morgan, Utah
The Morgan City Hall building with an American flag out front.
– Total population: 12,657
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 85.4%
Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock
#18. Lamoille, Vermont
An aerial view of the town surrounded by grassy fields and mature trees.
– Total population: 26,126
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 85.4%
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#17. Gallatin, Montana
An aerial view of a town with mountains in the distance.
– Total population: 122,713
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 85.4%
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#16. Gunnison, Colorado
A landscape view of snow-capped mountains and rocky tree-covered canyons.
– Total population: 17,281
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 85.5%
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#15. Summit, Colorado
A snow-covered, warmly lit town with large mountains in the background in the evening.
– Total population: 30,941
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 85.7%
kan_khampanya // Shutterstock
#14. King, Washington
A view of Seattle with the Space Needle and snow-covered mountains in the background.
– Total population: 2,252,305
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 85.7%
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#13. San Juan, Washington
A sign reading Friday Harbor San Juan Island.
– Total population: 18,557
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 85.8%
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#12. Arlington, Virginia
A view of a small metro from a river.
– Total population: 232,965
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 85.8%
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#11. Summit, Utah
A lake with mountains in the background.
– Total population: 43,093
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 86.3%
Erika J Mitchell // Shutterstock
#10. Chittenden, Vermont
A harbor with boats docked in a town.
– Total population: 168,865
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 86.3%
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#9. Jefferson, Colorado
An aerial view of a hilly area with homes and a baseball diamond.
– Total population: 579,581
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 86.3%
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#8. Falls Church, Virginia
A pond surrounded by autumnal foliage.
– Total population: 14,493
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 86.6%
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#7. Routt, Colorado
A large building with an American flag out front.
– Total population: 25,091
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 86.6%
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#6. Marin, California
An aerial view of a slim shoreline with houses and trees lining it.
– Total population: 260,206
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 86.7%
Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock
#5. Los Alamos, New Mexico
An official historic scenic marker sign for Los Alamos.
– Total population: 19,330
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 87.7%
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#4. Pitkin, Colorado
A warmly lit town with snow-covered mountains in the near background.
– Total population: 17,348
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 87.8%
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#3. Broomfield, Colorado
The George Di Ciero City and County Building.
– Total population: 75,325
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 87.9%
Maciej Bledowski // Shutterstock
#2. Boulder, Colorado
An aerial view of a town center surrounded by autumn foliage.
– Total population: 329,543
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 88.0%
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#1. Douglas, Colorado
An aerial view of a rural town with a train running through it.
– Total population: 368,990
– Share of adults reporting any physical activity: 88.0%
Data reporting by Elena Cox. Story editing by Jeff Inglis. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
This story originally appeared on Northwell Health and was produced and
distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
