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The latest state unemployment data for August show declines in several jurisdictions, including Carroll, Frederick and Montgomery counties and Baltimore City, while the state's seasonally adjusted rate stayed at 7.2 percent for the fourth straight month.

Figures, not seasonally adjusted, released Friday show Carroll County's jobless rate dropped to 6.2 percent in August from 6.7 percent in July; Frederick's fell to 5.9 percent from 6.4 percent; and Dorchester's fell to 11.1 percent from 11.5 percent. Other jurisdictions showing declines in August from July: Montgomery County, 5.2 percent from 5.5 percent; Howard County, 5.4 percent from 5.7 percent; Prince George's County, 7.2 percent from 7.5 percent; and Baltimore city, 11.1 percent from 11.3 percent. Montgomery had the lowest jobless rate in the state.

In Washington County, on the other hand, the jobless rate increased to 9.9 percent from 9.7 percent.

"The stabilizing of Maryland's unemployment rate is a positive sign, and while low compared to the national and regional rates, we continue to work to decrease the rate by helping Marylanders rejoin the workforce," Thomas E. Perez, state labor secretary, said in a statement.

After a revised seasonally adjusted gain of 6,800 jobs in July, the state lost 12,000 jobs in August, according to preliminary data from Perez's office.