Much of the high employment is linked to seasonal lay-offs in construction and the oil and gas field.

That means a little over 600 Calhoun employees are currently receiving unemployment benefits.

Gilmer County is less than 10 percent, despite a two point rise from December, and Roane has a nearly 17% rate.

Wirt was 16.2 percent and Clay at 16.5 percent.

U.S. Labor Department stated unemployment rates rose in 30 states in January.