CDC PLACES County-Level Data

Physical Inactivity by State

The national average county-level leisure-time physical inactivity prevalence is 27.2% of adults. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and depression. Rural communities face higher inactivity rates due to fewer recreational facilities, longer commutes, and limited walkability — creating a foundation for chronic disease burden.

27.2%

National Average

States Above 30%

Highest (37.4%)

Lowest (20.0%)

Physical Inactivity Prevalence Map

Average county-level leisure-time physical inactivity by state. Darker colors indicate higher rates. Click a state to explore its full health profile.

55%

% of counties with no hospital

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All 50 States Ranked by Physical Inactivity

Sorted by highest average county-level physical inactivity rate. Click any column header to re-sort. Click a state name to see its full profile.

#	State	Avg Inactivity % ▼	Avg Obesity %	Avg Diabetes %	PCPs/100K
1	MississippiMS	37.4%	42.8%	17.7%	56.2
2	ArkansasAR	36.3%	41.2%	15.6%	69.3
3	West VirginiaWV	35.2%	41.8%	17.1%	81.6
4	LouisianaLA	34.5%	42.5%	17.1%	72.0
5	OklahomaOK	34.3%	41.0%	14.6%	59.2
6	MissouriMO	33.0%	39.0%	13.9%	72.1
7	AlabamaAL	32.7%	42.2%	17.2%	65.4
8	TexasTX	31.7%	37.7%	15.1%	60.9
9	GeorgiaGA	31.3%	38.5%	15.8%	67.5
10	South CarolinaSC	30.5%	39.4%	17.0%	67.3
11	TennesseeTN	30.2%	40.2%	15.4%	68.2
12	OhioOH	30.0%	39.5%	14.1%	76.7
13	WisconsinWI	29.1%	39.2%	12.5%	81.3
14	KansasKS	29.0%	38.7%	12.7%	79.1
15	NebraskaNE	28.4%	39.6%	12.5%	75.1
16	New MexicoNM	28.4%	35.2%	15.2%	73.1
17	DelawareDE	28.2%	36.7%	13.3%	78.2
18	FloridaFL	28.2%	34.8%	14.6%	73.0
19	VirginiaVA	27.4%	37.9%	14.4%	75.9
20	North CarolinaNC	27.3%	37.8%	14.3%	70.3
21	NevadaNV	27.2%	35.1%	13.1%	58.4
22	South DakotaSD	27.0%	37.1%	13.6%	80.5
23	IowaIA	26.9%	39.4%	12.4%	74.3
24	IndianaIN	26.9%	40.1%	13.8%	66.1
25	MichiganMI	26.7%	38.1%	13.3%	80.5
26	WyomingWY	26.3%	34.3%	11.7%	71.2
27	New YorkNY	26.1%	33.2%	11.3%	83.4
28	ArizonaAZ	26.0%	33.3%	13.9%	63.9
29	MinnesotaMN	25.8%	37.0%	11.8%	89.9
30	North DakotaND	25.7%	39.0%	12.2%	79.3
31	ConnecticutCT	25.5%	30.7%	10.2%	83.7
32	IllinoisIL	25.4%	38.9%	12.9%	82.6
33	New JerseyNJ	25.2%	30.1%	10.9%	79.2
34	CaliforniaCA	25.1%	30.1%	12.1%	84.2
35	IdahoID	25.1%	33.4%	11.7%	62.8
36	MaineME	25.1%	34.1%	12.3%	105.3
37	MarylandMD	24.9%	36.4%	12.7%	85.6
38	AlaskaAK	24.4%	36.2%	11.2%	93.9
39	MontanaMT	24.1%	33.6%	11.9%	82.8
40	HawaiiHI	23.0%	28.6%	13.0%	88.1
41	OregonOR	22.7%	35.5%	13.0%	94.7
42	Rhode IslandRI	22.0%	29.5%	10.5%	93.2
43	MassachusettsMA	21.8%	28.1%	10.1%	102.2
44	New HampshireNH	21.6%	32.0%	10.1%	84.8
45	WashingtonWA	21.0%	34.3%	11.6%	85.1
46	VermontVT	20.6%	30.7%	9.6%	114.3
47	ColoradoCO	20.2%	27.4%	10.7%	83.1
48	UtahUT	20.0%	31.7%	10.7%	56.1
49	KentuckyKY	—	—	—	63.2
50	PennsylvaniaPA	—	—	—	80.7

Source: CDC PLACES (county-level model-based estimates), AHRF (workforce), CMS Provider of Services (hospital data).

Why Physical Inactivity Matters for Rural Health

Physical inactivity — defined as no leisure-time physical activity in the past month — is one of the most significant modifiable risk factors for chronic disease. More than a quarter of American adults are physically inactive, and rates are substantially higher in rural communities where recreational facilities, sidewalks, and organized fitness programs are less available.

For state health agencies and rural hospital leaders, county-level physical inactivity data is a leading indicator of future chronic disease burden. Physical inactivity is directly linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression — the very conditions that drive rural hospital admissions, ER visits, and healthcare costs.

The RHT Compass platform integrates CDC PLACES physical inactivity data with obesity prevalence, diabetes rates, and workforce metrics — helping decision-makers identify where upstream prevention programs could have the greatest impact on downstream health outcomes and hospital utilization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “physical inactivity” mean in this data?

Physical inactivity in the CDC PLACES dataset measures the percentage of adults who report no leisure-time physical activity in the past 30 days. This includes any exercise, recreation, or physical activity other than work-related exertion. RHT Compass averages county-level rates to produce each state's score.

Why is physical inactivity higher in rural areas?

Rural communities typically have fewer gyms, parks, sidewalks, and organized recreational programs. Longer commute distances, fewer public transportation options, and the physical demands of agricultural and manual labor (which don't count as “leisure-time” activity) also contribute. Economic factors and cultural norms play a role as well.

How does physical inactivity affect healthcare costs?

Physical inactivity is estimated to cost the U.S. healthcare system over $117 billion annually in associated medical expenses. Inactive adults have higher rates of hospitalization, medication use, and chronic disease management costs. For rural hospitals operating on thin margins, communities with high inactivity rates tend to generate more complex, costly patient populations.

Can I see county-level physical inactivity data for my state?

Yes. Every state profile page includes county-level CDC PLACES data, including physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, and other health indicators. Click any state in the table above to see its full breakdown.

Explore Physical Inactivity & Health Access in Your State

Every state page includes county-level chronic disease data, hospital financials, and workforce metrics. Start with your state, or request a demo of the full analytics platform.

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Physical inactivity, obesity, and diabetes prevalence from CDC PLACES (model-based county-level estimates). Workforce data from HRSA Area Health Resources File (AHRF). Hospital data from CMS Provider of Services. Last updated: 2026-02-15.