Maryland’s unemployment rate in August rose slightly, though it was still lower than a year ago, while Virginia’s August jobless rate was unchanged.

The District’s jobless rate fell in August and is sharply lower than a year ago.

The Labor Department says unemployment rates rose in 26 states, fell in 12 and were unchanged in 12.

Maryland’s jobless rate was 7.1 percent in August, compared to 7.0 percent in July. A year ago, Maryland’s unemployment rate was 7.2 percent.

Virginia’s jobless rate held steady in August at 5.9 percent, and is down from 6.4 percent in August 2011.

DC had an August unemployment rate of 8.8 percent, still among the highest in the nation when compared to state numbers. But that’s down from 8.9 percent in July and from 10.5 percent a year ago.

Nevada still has the nation’s highest unemployment rate, at 12.1 percent in August. North Dakota still has the lowest, at 3.0 percent.

The national unemployment rate in August was 8.3 percent. It fell to 8.1 percent in September.