NORWICH – Chenango County’s unemployment rate reported for January nearly mirrored the nation’s and well exceeded New York State’s and that of the five neighboring counties.

Chenango County’s rate was 10.4 percent in January, up from 9.7 percent the same time last year and a record high. The previous high was in 1994 when unemployment hit 10.3 percent.

Of the five surrounding counties, only Cortland County’s jobless rate was greater than Chenango’s last month, at 11 percent unemployment. According to the New York State Labor Department, Delaware County came in at 9.9; Broome County hit 9.7; Otsego had 9.1; and Madison reported 9.7 percent.