Richer counties, lower obesity
Median household income and adult obesity across more than 2,900 counties.
Counties with higher Median Household Income tend to have lower Adults with Obesity.
Strong link: a correlation of −0.64 across 2,915 counties.CorrelationHow closely two metrics move together, from −1 to +1. Near +1: both rise together. Near −1: one rises as the other falls. Near 0: no clear link.More in the glossary →
Obesity rates differ widely between US counties. Income is one of the strongest single predictors of where they are highest.
Each dot in the chart is one of 2,915 counties. The correlation between Median Household Income and Adults with Obesity is -0.64, a strong relationship: about 41% of the differences in Adults with Obesity from place to place line up with Median Household Income. Ranked instead of measured, the link is -0.59.
The highest Adults with Obesity is in Perry County, AL (54.0%), Greene County, AL (53.4%) and Humphreys County, MS (53.0%); the lowest is in San Francisco County, CA (17.1%), Boulder County, CO (17.4%) and Summit County, UT (19.3%). The median place has 38.2% for Adults with Obesity and $66,101 for Median Household Income.
The biggest exceptions sit furthest from the trend line. Charles County, MD, Perry County, AL and Rolette County, ND have a much higher Adults with Obesity than their Median Household Income would predict, while Mineral County, CO, Boulder County, CO and La Plata County, CO have a much lower one.
This is a comparison across places, not proof that one causes the other: both can follow from something else, such as income, age or how urban a place is. Median Household Income is from 2024 and Adults with Obesity from 2023.
Highest Adults with Obesity
| Place | Adults with Obesity | Median Household Income |
|---|---|---|
| Perry County, AL | 54.0% | $37,654 |
| Greene County, AL | 53.4% | $29,200 |
| Humphreys County, MS | 53.0% | $33,731 |
| Wilcox County, AL | 51.9% | $40,640 |
| Jefferson County, MS | 51.7% | $38,305 |
Lowest Adults with Obesity
| Place | Adults with Obesity | Median Household Income |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco County, CA | 17.1% | $140,970 |
| Boulder County, CO | 17.4% | $103,994 |
| Summit County, UT | 19.3% | $138,114 |
| New York County, NY | 19.5% | $103,931 |
| Pitkin County, CO | 20.3% | $102,645 |
Explore it yourself
- Open this comparison in the interactive chart to highlight places, change the metrics or colour by party.
- Full ranking and sources for Median Household Income
- Full ranking and sources for Adults with Obesity