Unemployment in the Baltimore-Towson metropolitan area was 4.8 percent in August, holding steady from the month before, but was up from 3.8 percent in August 2007, according to federal data released Tuesday.

Statewide unemployment also remained at 4.5 percent over the month, the Department of Labor data showed, but was up from 3.5 percent last year. The national unemployment rate in August was 6.1 percent, up from 4.6 percent a year ago.