DES MOINES — Iowa’s unemployment rate fell to 3.5% in December, a state agency reported today.

The rate was down from November’s 3.7% rate and reflected that 5,200 more people found jobs, according to Iowa Workforce Development. The percentage of Iowans in the labor force also increased slightly.

Iowa’s rate was ranked 20th nationally. Nebraska continued to have the nation’s lowest rate at 1.7%.

The national unemployment rate for December was 3.9%.