Nebraska is one of the land-locked states in the midwestern region of the U.S. The Nebraska economy is largely based on agriculture, including the production of beef, pork, corn, soybeans, corn, and more.
Omaha is home to Berkshire Hathaway, whose Chief Executive Office is one of the wealthiest people on the globe – Warren Buffett.
Kool-Aid, having been invented in Nebraska, holds an annual event every August.
It is also home to the largest trainyard and some of the oldest/largest beef cattle businesses and operations.
Contents
- The 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Nebraska
- 5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Nebraska
- 1. Consider purchasing travel insurance so you know you will be reimbursed should a cancellation, delay, or disaster strike.
- 2. When traveling, always bring along a few extra days of daily medication.
- 3. Be sure to check the forecast of your current location and any future destinations.
- 4. Stay in touch with friends and family members during your Nebraska adventure so they don’t have to worry when you are away.
- 5. When visiting Omaha, remember it is a large urban city and the most unsafe city in the state.
- Nebraska Safety Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
The 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Nebraska
Fortunately for the residents of Nebraska, the crime rate averages for both violent and property crimes are below the national median for similar crimes.
Crete (Saline County)
Population – 7,179 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 8.08 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 16.85 per 1,000 residents.
Crete is a small city in southeastern Nebraska that is home to Doane University and its Oosterhout Arboretum.
The rate of violent crimes in Crete is 2.5 times the state average, although the city’s property crime rates are in line with Nebraska state averages.
Crete’s crime per square mile is 60, which comes in at four times the state average and more than twice the national rate.
Omaha (Douglas County)
Population – 487,300 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 5.81 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 27.73 per 1,000 residents.
Omaha is Nebraska’s largest city and is considered the Gateway to the West.
The city is located on the Missouri River and is only ten miles to the north of the Platte River’s mouth.
Omaha, like Crete, has serious issues with violent crimes, with a rate nearly twice Nebraska’s average.
Property crime in Omaha is also prevalent, with a rate that is more than 60% of the national level.
Scottsbluff (Scotts Bluff County)
Population – 14,282 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 5.39 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 27.17 per 1,000 residents.
Scottsbluff is a small city located in the western part/panhandle of the state of Nebraska.
Scottsbluff, which was the first town in the area to be along any railroad line, was founded in 1899.
Despite the city’s smaller size, crime rates for violent and property offenses mirror the rate in the state’s largest city – Omaha.
Violent crime rates clock in more than 60% higher than the Nebraska state average.
Lincoln (Lancaster County)
Population – 292,657 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 4.28 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 28.05 per 1,000 residents.
Lincoln is the capital and second-largest city of Nebraska, located in the state’s southeastern quadrant.
Lincoln is also the main campus that is home to the University of Nebraska and a number of prominent players in the telecommunications, pharmaceutical, technology, manufacturing, and publishing industries.
Violence and property crime exceed state levels; however, property crime is the larger issue of the two.
The crime per square mile in Lincoln is seven times the state level and four times the national rate of crime per mile.
Nebraska City (Otoe County)
Population – 7,202 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 3.47 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 16.25 per 1,000 residents.
Nebraska City was incorporated in 1855, making it the oldest city to become incorporated in Nebraska.
The state is home to the basin of the Missouri River and a center dedicated to the achievements of Lewis and Clark’s Expeditions.
The most dangerous sections in this city are near its downtown or inner-city areas.
The violent crime rate in Nebraska City hovers above state averages, although its murder rate is among the nation’s highest.
The crimes per square mile rate in Nebraska City is twice the state average.
Grand Island (Hall County)
Population – 52,335 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 3.29 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate –2 0.29 per 1,000 residents.
Grand Island is a mid-sized city that is home to the Nebraska State Fair.
Grand Island is the county seat of Hall county and has been honored by the National Civic League as an All-American City four times.
Both property and crime rates in Grand Island exceed state crime levels.
However, with a 1 in 49 chance – Grand Island’s property crime is the greater of the two problems.
And, with regard to crime per square mile, Grand Island’s rate is nearly three times Nebraska’s crime per square mile statistic.
Hastings (Adams County)
Population – 25,037 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 3.28 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 23.01 per 1,000 residents.
Hastings is a small city located along the southern tier of Nebraska.
Hastings is known as the birthplace of the brand Kool-Aid, and during WW II, Hastings held and maintained the navy’s largest ammunition depot.
Violent crime in Hastings is about the same as the average for the rest of the state.
However, property crime rates in Hastings not only exceed state levels but also outpace the national median.
North Platte (Lincoln County)
Population – 22,978 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 2.87 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 27.94 per 1,000 residents.
North Platte is a city near the center of the state.
It is a city situated near the confluence of the South and North Platte Rivers.
It was established in the 1860s when the Union Pacific Railroad extended its track through this part of the state.
Fortunately, North Platte’s violent crime rate dips below average, although the property crime clocks in as 50% higher than the state’s overall average.
While Nebraska’s average crime per square mile is 15, North Platte’s rate of 53 is about 3.5 times the state level.
Kearney (Buffalo County)
Population – 33,959 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 2.71 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 12.52 per 1,000 residents.
Kearney is small to moderate-sized city that is home to one of the campuses of the University of Nebraska, along with several museums and microbreweries.
The most significant crime area is located in central Kearney.
This college town tends to have crime rates that are similar to better than state and national averages, although it is not without burglary, theft, and other types of crime.
South Sioux City (Dakota County)
Population – 13,814 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 2.68 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 25.77 per 1,000 residents.
South Sioux City is a city on the Missouri River that is located in the northeast corner of Nebraska.
The city is located directly across the river – facing Sioux City, Iowa.
Violent crimes in South Sioux City are a bit below Nebraska’s state level; however, property crime – at a rate of 1 in 39 is nearly twice as dangerous.
The crime per square mile for South Sioux City is also dangerously high at more than four times the state level.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Nebraska
1. Consider purchasing travel insurance so you know you will be reimbursed should a cancellation, delay, or disaster strike.
The true lesson about the value of travel insurance is when you are traveling and could use it – but decide against it before the trip begins.
2. When traveling, always bring along a few extra days of daily medication.
Weather delays may occur when traveling in and out of Nebraska, depending on the time of year.
3. Be sure to check the forecast of your current location and any future destinations.
Nebraska is included within the United States Tornado Alley – a group of non-coastal states with above-average risks for tornadoes.
4. Stay in touch with friends and family members during your Nebraska adventure so they don’t have to worry when you are away.
Most of Nebraska has a cell signal, but there are rural spots along the way.
So send a text or email while in range to let them know how your Nebraska jaunt is coming along.
5. When visiting Omaha, remember it is a large urban city and the most unsafe city in the state.
Stay mindful of your surroundings, especially in those areas that look dangerous or unfamiliar.
The most dangerous sections of Omaha are in the city’s south and east sections.
Nebraska Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Nebraska Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of the year to visit Nebraska?
When planning a visit to Nebraska, autumn is typically considered the best time to visit – September to October.
The fall colors across the Nebraska landscape come alive, and the weather is cool enough to enjoy the state’s extraordinary outdoor activities.
Can you fish legally in Nebraska?
If you want to go fishing, purchase a license online.
Nebraska offers some great fishing locations.
And Nebraska, the Cornhusker State, is also home to more than 100 species of fish.
What is Nebraska’s most popular tourist attraction?
The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha attract the most visitors to the state – more than 2 million each year.
Nebraska is a land-locked state with a strong agricultural economy and notable companies such as Berkshire Hathaway.
While it is home to the largest trainyard and oldest beef cattle businesses, it also has some of the most dangerous cities in the country.