Clay and Pickett Counties have been named distressed counties by the Appalachian Regional Commission.
The Commission publishes the report annually comparing three-year average unemployment rates, per capita market income and a county’s poverty rate. No Upper Cumberland county rated distressed a year ago.
A total of six Upper Cumberland counties ranked at-risk, meaning they could fall into the distressed range. They include Dekalb, Fentress, Jackson, Overton, Van Buren and Warren. White County fell off the distressed list in fiscal year 2026.
Distressed counties rank economically among the lowest 10 percent nationwide.
