Summary Box: Unemployment rises in more than half the states, worst showing since February

Summary Box: Unemployment rises in 27 states

UNEMPLOYMENT SPREADS: The jobless rate rose in 27 states last month, the government said Tuesday, the largest number in six months. Unemployment declined in 13 and was unchanged in 10.

NOT EVENLY: Some regions are recovering faster than others. Many Western states, hit hard by the housing crisis, are shedding jobs and seeing their unemployment rates rise. All but two Northeastern states, meanwhile, saw net private sector job gains in August.

NO LETUP: Western states are likely to keep lagging until the housing sector starts to recover, which is unlikely for several months.