Is Lincoln Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

If you live or have ever visited Lincoln, Nebraska, you will find plenty of fun things to do and a historical museum that chronicles the city and local history.
 
Here is an overview and facts about Lincoln and all it has to offer, according to Planetware.com:

• Lincoln is the capital of Nebraska.

The capitol building cost $10 million and 10 years to build.

Construction originally started in 1922.

• There is a statue on top of the capital building; the figure is called the sower.
• The Haymarket District is a historic area in the center of the city.

It is rich with retail outlets, restaurants, pubs, and art galleries.

• The University of Nebraska is in the heart of the city center.
• The Sheldon Museum of Art and the University of Nebraska State Museum are also found in the center of Lincoln.
• The University of Nebraska State Museum has an impressive paleontology collection; it is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Museum.

It is home to the largest mammoth and fossilized elephants.

• Right outside the city center are the Speed Museum and Quilt Museum.
• Lincoln station, which was once a bustling railway depot, is not the local visitors’ center.

It also houses a restaurant and is the site of many street festivals and farmers’ markets.

• Lincoln is home to the Cornhuskers.

The stadium can hold 90,000 fanatical fans.

• Sunken Gardens, founded in 1930, was recently renovated in 2004.

It has three gardens, the Healing Garden, with its pure white flowers.

The Perennial Garden and the Annual Garden.

• Pioneers Park Nature Center is set on nearly 700 acres.

It has eight miles of hiking trails where visitors can see bison, white-tail deer, elk, barred owls, and even wild turkeys.

• Young and old alike will enjoy the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, which has been open for over 55 years.

You can see armadillos, owls, snakes, and alligators.

Horse rides are also available.

Warnings & Dangers in Lincoln

OVERALL RISK: HIGH

Those that are considering places to go in Nebraska should be very careful if their travel includes a stop in Lincoln. The crime level is one in 33, which is higher than 98% of the cities and towns in other parts of the state. According to Crimegrade.org, the city is given a rate of C, making it higher than most U.S. cities. Those that live or visit Lincoln, are at risk of crime as high as one in 18 in the west portion of the city. It is as low as one in 59 in the southeast area of the city, which is the safest.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

For the most part, transportation is safe in Omaha and Lincoln, but there are not many areas in the outlying areas that are not served by public transportation, so if you plan to visit the outlying areas, you will need to have your vehicles. While very few issues have been reported about taxis or other transportation, there have been some concerns about fake taxis. If you are going to rely on public transportation, be careful and ask for an ID before entering a vehicle.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Just about any area can be dangerous for pickpockets if you are not careful and Lincoln is no different. Most pickpocketing occurs during events and festivals when people are distracted and may not notice their purse is open or their wallet is coming out of their pocket. It is always best to be extra careful when attending events that draw big crowds, like festivals, farmers markets, sporting and entertainment events.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Everyone thinks of tornados when they think of the corn belt, but they are about the only natural or weather-related disaster found in the area. According to Worldpopulationreview.com, Nebraska ranks #5 when it comes to tornadoes each year with an average of 57 tornadoes. They come after Texas, Kansas, Florida, and Oklahoma. In Nebraska, tornadoes don’t typically cause widespread damage, but they can be powerful. It is best to check weather reports before you travel to the area and if there is a tornado warning, it is best to take cover and follow safety directions.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Those that travel to Nebraska shouldn’t have to worry too much about being mugged in the rural areas of the state. Most of the violent crimes occur in the larger cities, and mostly at night. You will be safer if you stay in well-lit areas with a lot of people. Most muggings occur in Omaha, so you should be careful and not be out alone at night.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The risk of terrorist acts in Nebraska is exceedingly low. Most terrorism is at the federal level and intercepted by the FBI. There is some risk of shootings, but those are done most frequently by individuals, and not formal terrorist groups.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

Scam risks typically occur in areas that have more tourists. Since Lincoln is not a mecca for tourism, it is rare to find a lot of scams. One thing that everyone should be mindful of, is when they purchase entertainment tickets. On occasion, scammers may sell fake tickets to sporting events and entertainment venues. Also, travelers should never get in a taxi if it doesn’t have signage or clearly state that it is a taxi or rideshare service.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women traveling alone should always be extra careful. Using common sense like staying in groups, and staying away from dangerous areas is a given. In most cases, women should be safe in most areas of Nebraska, with most of the issues occurring in the largest cities, like Omaha and Lincoln.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

Unfiltered water probably won’t taste very good in Nebraska because it comes from deep below the soil. The state has a very good water system in most of the larger cities, so you may not even notice a difference in taste. Even if it doesn’t taste quite right, the water in the area is quite good and is not dangerous.

Safest Places to Visit in Lincoln

The safest places to visit in Nebraska are the outskirts of the largest cities and in the rural areas.

Nearly half of the state’s population is in the Omaha and Lincoln area.

This is also where most crime occurrences happen.

There are numerous great places to visit that are safe for the whole family:

• Platte River State Park
• Indian Cave State Park
• Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
• Homestead National Historical Park

In addition, there are several interesting museums for those looking for indoor activities.

Places to Avoid in Lincoln

Omaha and Lincoln are the two largest cities, and where most of the crime occurs.

As you can see by the numbers, Omaha is above the national average for property and violent crime.

Here are the statistics:

• Four out of every 1,000 people will be crime victims nationally; in Nebraska, it is 3.3 per 1,000; in Omaha, it is 6.24.
• There is more than twice the number of property crimes than in other areas across the state.
• Most areas are safe during the day but extra care should be given to traveling around town at night.
• Of all areas, Omaha, Grand Island, and Lincoln have the highest crime rates.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Lincoln

So... How Safe Is Lincoln Really?

Nebraska is a very safe state as long as you stay away from the big cities, especially Omaha.

There can be a criminal element anywhere, but they are more active in large cities.

Other than the big cities, Nebraska is below the national average for crime, so you should be fine as long as you don’t go into the big cities at night.

Here are some additional tips about the state:

• Even though Lincoln is the 2nd largest city in the state and is just 50 miles from Omaha, it has a lower crime rate.
• Nebraska is home to numerous state parks and museums to explore. They are very safe and rarely do any crimes occur in the state parks.
• As long as you don’t go into dangerous areas at night, Omaha is mostly safe during daylight hours.
• Most tourist areas are patrolled by police and safe to be in.
• Be careful where you go at night and stay away from areas known to have a lot of crime.
• Lincoln is mostly known as a college town, with a low crime rate.
• The towns of Schuyler, Seward, LaVista, and Columbus have the lowest crime rates.

How Does Lincoln Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

Those traveling to Lincoln, Nebraska from out of the country will need a passport to enter the U.S., it can also be used as a form of ID.

Currency

In the U.S. we use the dollar as our standard form of currency. You should have some cash for tips and public transportation, but it is best to use a credit card.

Weather

Nebraska has temperate weather most of the year. It can get hot in summer and cold in winter. You should check out local weather, so you know what to pack when traveling to the state.

Airports

The largest two airports are found in Omaha and Lincoln, not surprisingly. Some countries have direct flights to the airports, but many smaller carriers will have to stop in Chicago or other international airports before they travel on to Nebraska.

Travel Insurance

No matter where you travel to, it is always wise to get travel insurance. You never know when you may get sick, have problems getting time off work, or other situations that can hamper your trip. Having travel insurance will ensure that you can reschedule your flight should anything unforeseen occur.

Lincoln Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Nebraska - Safety by City