Safest cities in Nebraska

Access hyperlocal data to help you make a confident and informed decision.

Known as the 'Cornhusker State,' Nebraska is characterized by its expansive prairies, rich agricultural heritage, and welcoming communities. Located in the Midwestern United States, Nebraska is a major agricultural producer, known for its corn, soybeans, and cattle. The state's economy also includes manufacturing, information technology, and finance. Omaha and Lincoln, the state's largest cities, are vibrant urban centers with thriving cultural scenes, including museums, theaters, and music venues. Nebraska's rich cultural heritage is reflected in its numerous historical sites, including the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and the Oregon Trail.

Low crime rates are essential for enhancing the livability of communities in Nebraska, making the safest cities highly desirable places to live. Safety provides a foundation for economic stability and community well-being, allowing residents to feel secure in their daily lives. Factors that contribute to the safety of Nebraska's cities include community policing, neighborhood watch programs, and active citizen participation. The safest cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a reliable measure of security. This emphasis on safety ensures that residents can enjoy the many amenities and natural attractions Nebraska has to offer without the overshadowing concern of crime.

Get Crime Data Within A 1-Mile Radius!

View detailed crime data near your address
Use local crime insights to avoid risky areas
Get hyperlocal crime stats, not city averages

GET REPORT →

* Crime data not available for every address.

Schuyler Population: 6,269 459 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 123 Property Crime / 100k: 337 chance of being a victim: 1 in 218

Schuyler proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Nebraska. With only 459 crimes per 100,000 people, Schuyler has a crime rate that is 93% lower than the Nebraska average. This equates to an average of 0.08 crimes per day and a 1 in 218 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Wayne Population: 5,603 674 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 128 Property Crime / 100k: 546 chance of being a victim: 1 in 148

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Wayne comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Nebraska with a crime rate of 674 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 48 counts of burglary, 465 counts of theft, 32 counts of vehicle theft, 48 counts of assault, 16 counts of robbery, 64 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Wayne, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Seward Population: 7,210 731 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 78 Property Crime / 100k: 652 chance of being a victim: 1 in 137

With a population of 7,210 and a total crime rate of 731 per 100,000 residents, Seward is the 3rd safest city in Nebraska. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 92% lower than the Nebraska average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Plattsmouth Population: 6,453 770 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 15 Property Crime / 100k: 756 chance of being a victim: 1 in 130

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Plattsmouth is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 770, 93% lower than the Nebraska average. This amounts to 0.15 crimes per day and a 1 in 130 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Plattsmouth a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Blair Population: 7,830 848 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 125 Property Crime / 100k: 723 chance of being a victim: 1 in 118

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Blair consistently ranks high in safety. In Blair, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 848, which is 92% lower than the state average.

Beatrice Population: 12,282 904 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 81 Property Crime / 100k: 823 chance of being a victim: 1 in 111

Beatrice has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Nebraska. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 904 crimes per 100,000 people, 88% lower than the Nebraska average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 130 reports of burglary, 611 reports of theft, 81 reports of vehicle theft, 49 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 24 reports of rape and 8 reports of homicide.

Columbus Population: 23,291 1,012 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 85 Property Crime / 100k: 927 chance of being a victim: 1 in 99

Columbus ranks as the seventh safest city in Nebraska and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 99 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.68 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Columbus’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Nebraska.

Papillion Population: 24,310 1,038 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 34 Property Crime / 100k: 1,004 chance of being a victim: 1 in 96

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Papillion is the 8th safest city in Nebraska. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 76% lower than the Nebraska average, reporting a total of 1,038 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

McCook Population: 7,555 1,083 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 42 Property Crime / 100k: 1,042 chance of being a victim: 1 in 92

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. McCook is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Nebraska, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 1,083 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 93% lower than the state average.

Alliance Population: 8,139 1,122 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 237 Property Crime / 100k: 885 chance of being a victim: 1 in 89

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Nebraska, is Alliance. With a low rate of crime that included 199 burglaries, 636 thefts, 50 vehicle thefts, 212 assaults, 0 robberies, 25 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 92% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Nebraska

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Schuyler	6,269	123	337	459
2	Wayne	5,603	128	546	674
3	Seward	7,210	78	652	731
4	Plattsmouth	6,453	15	756	770
5	Blair	7,830	125	723	848
6	Beatrice	12,282	81	823	904
7	Columbus	23,291	85	927	1,012
8	Papillion	24,310	34	1,004	1,038
9	McCook	7,555	42	1,042	1,083
10	Alliance	8,139	237	885	1,122
11	Nebraska City	7,270	120	1,002	1,123
12	Bellevue	63,970	99	1,132	1,231
13	La Vista	17,081	49	1,185	1,234
14	Ralston	7,305	110	1,208	1,318
15	Norfolk	24,410	202	1,144	1,346
16	Lexington	10,069	129	1,353	1,482
17	Sidney	6,451	124	1,489	1,613
18	York	7,810	195	1,642	1,837
19	Kearney	33,783	301	1,625	1,926
20	Fremont	26,362	180	1,891	2,071
21	Chadron	5,482	214	1,909	2,123
22	Grand Island	51,250	368	1,760	2,128
23	Hastings	24,878	318	2,007	2,325
24	North Platte	23,734	148	2,582	2,730
25	Crete	7,013	201	2,532	2,733
26	Lincoln	286,388	348	2,446	2,794
27	South Sioux City	12,867	181	2,652	2,833
28	Scottsbluff	14,660	588	2,783	3,371
29	Omaha	479,529	369	3,162	3,531

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Nebraska is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Nebraska cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

Well Below nat. avg.
Below nat. avg.
Similar to nat. avg.
Above nat. avg.
Well above nat. avg.

The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.