Study: Beaufort healthiest county in SC

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Story Created: Mar 20, 2013 at 6:15 AM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 20, 2013 at 10:15 AM EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A new study has ranked Beaufort County as the healthiest place in South Carolina.

The rankings released Wednesday by the University of Wisconsin cite the coastal county's relatively low adult obesity rate of 21 percent, as well as an active adult population.

Unemployment in Beaufort County is also typically among the lowest in the state. In January, the county had a rate of 7.7 percent, compared with 8.7 percent statewide.

Marion County was listed as the state's unhealthiest county, with an adult obesity rate of 38 percent. According to the rankings, South Carolina's overall adult obesity rate is 31 percent.

Marion County's unemployment was the highest in South Carolina in January at 19.2 percent.

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