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D

Is Lincoln, Nebraska Safe?

Population 301,522 · Safer than 19% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Lincoln faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 81% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,696 per 100K.

Lincoln Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLincolnNebraska AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate341.0328.5363.8
Property Crime Rate2237.12048.11,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate271.0--268.2
Theft Rate1696.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate495.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD

257.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

341/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2237/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Lincoln

Violent crime in Lincoln is close to the national average. The rate of 341.0 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2237.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,696 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Lincoln Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault271
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery49
077% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary342
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,696
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft495
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Lincoln Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lincoln
341.0
State
328.5
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lincoln
2237.1
State
2048.1
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lincoln Safety

Is Lincoln safe?
Not especially. Lincoln earns a D with a crime rate of 257.8 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Lincoln?
257.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 341.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2237.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Lincoln safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Lincoln's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,696 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Lincoln?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Lincoln generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Lincoln police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Lincoln?
Crime rates have held steady in Lincoln, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does Lincoln compare to other cities in Nebraska?
Below average for the state. Lincoln ranks behind about 88% of Nebraska cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Lincoln to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Lincoln?
Bad. A D grade and 257.8 per-thousand rate put Lincoln below 81% of US cities. Violent crime at 341 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Lincoln?
341.0 per 100,000, which is 6% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (271), robbery (49), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Nebraska

Similar-sized communities in Nebraska. Compare crime rates across the state.

F
See crime rates in Omaha488,797 pop · Grade F
D
See crime rates in Bellevue64,863 pop · Grade D
C-
See crime rates in Grand Island53,943 pop · Grade C-
C
See crime rates in Kearney34,782 pop · Grade C
D+
See crime rates in Fremont28,350 pop · Grade D+
D+
See crime rates in Norfolk26,677 pop · Grade D+
View all Nebraska city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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