Arlington Named America's Fittest City—For the 8th Year in a Row
By Chris Colgan, eXp Realty | Founder, Real Nova Network
It's official: Arlington County, Virginia, is once again ranked the fittest county in the U.S. In the 2025 American Fitness Index, conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and Elevance Health Foundation, Arlington has clinched the #1 title for eight consecutive years.
Why Arlington Keeps Leading
This year, Arlington secured first place in both of the Index's main categories: Personal Health and Community/Environment. In short, residents are healthy and live in an environment built for wellness.
Highlighted metrics include:
- 65.7% meet aerobic activity guidelines
- 33.4% meet both strength and cardio goals
- 6% walk or bike to work
- 16.9% regularly use public transit
- 76.4% get at least 7 hours of sleep
- Only 3.3% of residents smoke
- 67.2% report excellent or very good health
Arlington's overall health score soared to 88, compared with the national average of 50.5.
Designed for Active Living
Arlington continues to shine in categories like walkability, green space, and recreational infrastructure. This year the Fitness Index added indicators for trail miles, splash pads, and dual-purpose courts (tennis + pickleball). While the county didn't lead every new measure, it ranked 6th in access to courts and remained strong across all built-environment factors.
As ACSM Advisory Board Chair Stella Volpe explains, Arlington benefits from consistent investment in infrastructure and maintenance. "It's a great, walkable community… planners and county leadership have the resources to maintain what you already have."
Policy + Lifestyle = Health
This report underscores the link between community design and individual well-being. Arlington makes it easy for people to be healthy—not because everyone is running marathons, but because fitness is built into everyday life.
Whether it's through:
- bike trails
- accessible transit
- safe sidewalks
- public parks
…layers of infrastructure and strategic policy make healthy choices the default.
National Trends: Good & Concerning
Some of the broader findings from the index:
- 59.5% of Americans now meet aerobic activity guidelines—up from 50.9% in 2024
- 89 out of 100 cities saw increases in combined strength and aerobic exercise
- Food insecurity rose in 99 of the 100 cities
- Air quality declined, largely due to last year's wildfires
Volpe warns that cuts to programs like SNAP may further exacerbate food access issues.
Simply Put
Arlington's sustained success is no accident. It's the result of intentional design, public health leadership, and a real emphasis on quality of life. In this county, fitness isn't a program—it's part of the culture.
If you're considering a move and want the health-conscious lifestyle Arlington offers, start here:
Arlington County
Explore local housing and listings: www.realnovarealestate.com/arlington-county
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the American Fitness Index?
A: An annual ranking of the 100 largest U.S. cities, based on 35 health and environment indicators by ACSM and Elevance Health Foundation.
Q: How long has Arlington been #1?
A: Eight straight years—longer than any other city or county.
Q: What behaviors contribute to Arlington's score?
A: Walking/biking, public transit use, sleep hygiene, low smoking rates, and high self-reported health.
Q: What features support healthy living in Arlington?
A: Well-maintained trails, courts, parks, transit, sidewalks, and planning that makes movement easy.
Q: Is Arlington good for families?
A: Absolutely — with splashpads, safe neighborhoods, and easy access to parks and recreation.
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