Arlington, Virginia
What are the fittest cities in America in 2024? What are the least fit? The American College of Sports Medicine and the Elevance Health Foundation released their 17th annual list, and for the seventh straight year Arlington, Virginia, was No. 1. The fitness index evaluated the USA’s 100 largest cities using 33 evidence-based indicators. Let’s delve into the results.
FITTEST CITIES IN AMERICA 2024: INTERESTING FINDINGS
First, the good news: More Americans are walking and biking to work, park expenditures are up, and food security improved slightly. Now, the bad news: The majority of residents in the 100 largest cities are not exercising enough to meet minimum ACSM standards (150 minutes per week), the number of people getting seven or more hours of sleep nightly is down, and there was a decrease in reports of excellent/very good health and increase in reports of poor health.
Seven-time winner Arlington, Virginia once again had the right balance of healthy behaviors and community assets. It ranked first in environmental indicators, and had the highest rate of residents exercising in the previous month (87.8%), the most getting seven or more hours of sleep a night (76.4%) and the lowest percentage of smokers (3.4%). Like last year, the No. 2 fittest city is Arlington’s next-door neighbor, just across the Potomac, Washington, D.C. It seems fitness is one thing both parties can agree on.
Two cities improved significantly over the 2023 rankings. Lexington, Kentucky went from near the bottom to right in the middle, rising 31 places to #49. And Miami, Florida went from the middle to near the top, climbing 26 places to #13.
ACSM recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity—about 22 minutes per day—and muscle-strengthening activity at least twice a week. On average 78% of adults in the Fitness Index cities reported exercising in the previous month, but only 51% met the aerobic activity guidelines, while an even smaller percentage (24%) met both aerobic and strength activity guidelines. These percentages were the same as last year.
Like last year, the three cities ranking highest for meeting aerobic and strength activity guidelines—Anaheim, Irvine, and Santa Ana—are all located in Orange County, California. The O.C. is America’s workout capital.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has the highest percentage of recreation facilities per capita.
The four biggest U.S.A. cities rank: Chicago (18), New York (26), Los Angeles (54), Houston (61).
Full rankings and scores, a summary report, an interesting city comparison tool, and other insights are accessible on the Fitness Index website.
FITTEST CITIES IN AMERICA 2024: TOP 10
1. Arlington, VA
2. Washington, D.C.
3. Seattle, WA
4. San Francisco, CA
5. Madison, WI
6. Minneapolis, MN
7. Denver, CO
8. Atlanta, GA
9. Irvine, CA
10. St. Paul, MN
UNFITTEST CITIES IN AMERICA 2024: BOTTOM 5
96. North Las Vegas, NV
97. Wichita, KS
98. Memphis, TN
99. Port St. Lucie, FL
100. Oklahoma City, OK
