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C

Is Scottsbluff, Nebraska Safe?

Population 14,259 · Safer than 38% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 14,259, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Scottsbluff earns a C with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,637 per 100K.

Scottsbluff Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricScottsbluffNebraska AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate238.5328.5363.8
Property Crime Rate1829.52048.11,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate164.0--268.2
Theft Rate1637.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate451.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

206.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

239/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1830/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Scottsbluff

Violent crime in Scottsbluff is below the national average. The rate of 238.5 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1829.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,637 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Scottsbluff Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault164
061% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery49
077% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary206
076% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,637
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft451
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Scottsbluff Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Scottsbluff
238.5
State
328.5
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Scottsbluff
1829.5
State
2048.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Scottsbluff Safety

Is Scottsbluff safe?
Not especially. Scottsbluff earns a C with a crime rate of 206.8 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Scottsbluff?
206.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 238.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1829.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Scottsbluff safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Scottsbluff has a C grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Scottsbluff?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Scottsbluff generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Scottsbluff police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Scottsbluff?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Scottsbluff's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does Scottsbluff compare to other cities in Nebraska?
Middle of the pack for Nebraska. Scottsbluff isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 43th percentile among Nebraska cities.
How safe is Scottsbluff to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Scottsbluff?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 38th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Scottsbluff?
238.5 per 100,000, which is 34% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (164), robbery (49), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

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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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