The DeKalb County unemployment rate for January was reported at 6.9 percent, down slightly from the 7.0 percent December rate, and well below the 9.1 percent rate reported in January 2013.The local labor force for January was 9,160, with 8,530 people employed and 630 out of work.In surrounding counties, White County’s January rate was at 9.4 percent, Jackson had a 9.3 percent rate, and Warren reported a rate of 7.9 percent.Smith County had a 7.5 percent rate for the month, Putnam’s was at 6.4 percent, Wilson had a 5.3 percent rate and Cannon came in at 5.1 percent.County unemployment rates for January 2014 show the rate decreased in 34 counties, increased in 49 counties, and remained the same in 12.Davidson County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 5.3 percent in January, down from 5.6 percent in December. Knox County’s January rate was 5.5 percent, down from 5.7. Hamilton County was 7.1 percent, down from 7.2. Shelby County was 8.6 percent, down from 9.1 percent.Tennessee’s unemployment rate for January was 7.2 percent, which is five tenths of one percentage point lower than the December revised rate. The national unemployment rate for January 2014 was 6.6 percent, down one tenth of one percentage point from December.The state unemployment rate is seasonally adjusted, while the county unemployment rates are not.