Burlington, Vermont has been named the healthiest city in the United States and it is also among the lowest in obesity and among the best in exercise. The city has the largest proportion of people, 92 percent, who say they are in good or great health.

Burlington has also the lowest incidence of diabetes, obesity and other chronic illnesses, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Burlington residents are young, with an average age of 37, compared to Huntington residents, for example, where the average age is 40. They enjoy many outdoor activities, such as biking, skiing and snowboarding, and hiking. Community gardens and parks are a common interest. “There's this norm of a lot of activity,” said Vermont's deputy health commissioner Chris Finley, who works in Burlington.

At the opposite pole sits Huntington, West Virginia, where approximately half of the residents are currently obese. 31% of all residents don’t exercise, 22% suffer from heart disease and 13% have diabetes, the CDC report found. Almost half of Huntington’s residents who are older than 65 have lost their teeth. 19% of Huntington residents live at the federal poverty level and only 15% have college degree. Burlington is better off financially, with 8 percent living at the federal poverty level. Nearly 40 percent of Burlington’s residents have at least a bachelor’s degree.

Burlington is the largest city in Vermont, with 40,000 residents, 15,885 households, and 7,052 families residing in the city. The city’s economy is based mostly on education and health services, trade, transportation and utilities.