Nebraska : Safety by City
- Chadron
- Grand Island
- Gretna
- Hastings
- Kearney
- La Vista
- Lincoln
- McCook
- Nebraska City
- North Platte
- Ogallala
- Omaha
- Papillion
- Scottsbluff
- South Sioux City
- Valentine
- Wilber
Nebraska is in the heartland of America, and it is called the Cornhusker state for a reason.
There are hundreds of miles of corn growing in summer, as well as other crops.
It is one of the nation’s leading agricultural states and is rural for the most part.
There are a lot of areas where there are few people, and that normally keeps things safe.
Big cities like Omaha have a lot to offer, but still don’t have a lot of crime.
You can travel to Nebraska and feel very safe. Several lakes and parks give outdoors fans a lot to explore, and there are a lot of interesting places to see.
It’s a lot more than corn.
Warnings & Dangers in Nebraska
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Nebraska is below the national average in both violent crime and property crime. Maybe it is the rural nature of the state, but in many areas, crime is not much of an issue. Nebraska has low unemployment and low poverty levels.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
In rural areas, there is not much public transportation available. In larger cities such as Omaha or Lincoln, the buses are clean and are reliable. Very few problems have been reported with taxis either in the larger cities. There have been rare reports of fake taxis.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
During big public events like festivals, pickpockets seem to come out and prey on tourists using public transportation. Bigger cities tend to have more crime and pickpockets are just looking for an opportunity. With some common sense and awareness, you shouldn't have any serious issues.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
Tornadoes are a risk during the spring storm season. Pay attention to warnings and seek shelter if there is a warning. Tornadoes are the closest thing to a natural disaster there is in Nebraska. They usually don't cause widespread damage, but they are very powerful and can be deadly.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
In rural areas, you are very unlikely to meet a mugger. In Omaha or Lincoln, you probably won't see one during the day or in tourist areas. If you are out alone at night in certain areas of Omaha, your risk will go up sharply. Omaha has the highest crime rate, and that includes the highest mugging rate. If you do not go out at night alone, your risk is pretty low.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
There is very little risk of terrorism in a rural state like Nebraska. Even so, domestic terrorism has become a bigger threat and is on the radar of national security agencies like the FBI. There is always the risk of someone shooting at people, but that is rare here.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
Nebraska is not a tourist Mecca so that cuts down on scams to some degree. Sometimes fake tickets are sold to major festivals and other events at inflated prices. Buy tickets from reputable places. Taxis are licensed and marked. Don't get in a taxi that is not officially licensed. There are fake taxis at times.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
It is safe for women to travel anywhere in Nebraska. In the cities, you need to pay attention to your surroundings, and not go out at night alone, but with normal precautions, women should not have any issues traveling in Nebraska.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
Water tends to be hard in Nebraska, coming out of the ground. That means untreated water will not taste very good. The state has a great water system in all cities, and they all produce good quality water. It may not always taste great, but it is healthy and not dangerous. The risk of having problems with the water in Nebraska is extremely low.
Safest Places to Visit in Nebraska
The absolute safest places would be where there are the fewest people.
Platte River State Park is the most popular park, just south of Omaha, followed closely by Indian Cave State Park, further east.
These two are visited by a lot of people but remain very safe places.
Parks on the western half of the state are interesting but not visited by many people.
It may not be the most beautiful state, but Nebraska does have a lot of nice natural wonders to explore inside parks.
Places like Agate Fossil Beds National Monument and Homestead National Historical Park are interesting places to go that are completely safe.
Nearly half the population of the state lives in the Omaha and Lincoln areas.
The rest is very rural and very safe.
Places to Avoid in Nebraska
Omaha is the state’s largest city and it has a population of 475,000.
While the state is below the national average, Omaha is above the national average for both property and violent crime.
Four in 1000 people will be crime victims nationally.
That number is 3.3 for the state of Nebraska, and 6.24 for Omaha.
In Omaha, you are twice as likely to be a property crime victim than you are in the rest of the state.
Omaha has the same issues a lot of big towns have.
They are safe during the day but there are areas not safe at night.
Omaha has the highest crime rate, followed by Grand Island and Lincoln.
The northeast area of Omaha is the most dangerous.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Nebraska
- Keep your car locked. You are not likely to have any trouble in most of the state but don’t give petty criminals an easy target. They look for unlocked cars and will rarely break into a locked car.
- Stay alert in rural areas. Rural areas can give you a false sense of security. Crime is low in these areas, but it still exists. You still need to pay attention to what is going on around you and keep your valuables locked away.
- Be aware of where you are. In Omaha, you need to take the same precautions you would in any large city. Some areas are not safe.
- Watch the weather. Watch for tornadoes in the spring and snowfall in winter. It can get very cold in winter and snowfall can be heavy in some areas of the state.
- Keep friends posted. Let people know where you are, where you are going and when you will be back. Keeping people informed will help if you happen to turn up missing at some point.
- Carry extra supplies. Some areas of the state are very remote, and if you have a breakdown you will have a very long walk. Take extra food and water, as well a first aid supplies, when you travel in rural areas.
- Drive defensively. Even in rural areas, don’t be distracted by electronic devices while you are driving. Buckle everyone up when the car is moving. Pay attention to the road. In rural areas, you can be lulled to sleep by the open road in front of you.
- Stay hydrated. It is easy to get too dried out and that can be a health concern. In summer it could lead to heatstroke. Even when it is not hot outside, drinking plenty of water will help you stay healthy and safe. Carry extra water with you because you never know what might happen and you might need it.
- Hide your stuff. When in crowded areas, keep valuables like electronics and jewelry out of sight as much as possible. Also, avoid letting anyone see your wallet or any of your cash, other than the cashier, of course. If people don’t know what you have they are not likely to try to steal anything from you. Don’t offer temptation.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels off, or bad, it probably is. Rural areas are safe, but they can also have a criminal element. Don’t hesitate to leave an area if you don’t like the vibe.
So... How Safe Is Nebraska Really?
Except for Omaha, Nebraska, it is a very safe place.
The state itself is below the national average in almost all criminal categories.
Omaha, on the other hand, is above the national average in several categories of crime.
Lincoln, the second-largest city in the state – and only 50 miles away – has a much lower crime rate.
There are a lot of state parks and small towns to explore in Nebraska.
They are interesting and fun, and they are very safe.
lt is very rare for there to be a crime in a state or national park.
Even Omaha is relatively safe.
It is a big city and has crime issues.
Most of the crime is in isolated areas, and if you stay in tourist areas, you probably will not be exposed to that side of town.
During the day it is very safe, and public transportation is safe as well.
At night, many areas are safe.
It is just some areas that are not safe to be in alone at night.
It is a good idea to stay alert in Omaha and take the normal precautions you would take in any city.
Lincoln is the second-largest city and is a college town.
It feels like a college town and has a lower crime rate than Omaha.
This town is very safe, especially around the University of Nebraska campus.
It is safe to be out in that area at night.
Nebraska is the 23rd ranked state as far as property crime.
The state is still three percent lower than the national average for property crime and all types of crime.
Small cities have a very low crime rate.
Schuyler, Seward, La Vista, and Columbus, all have a very low crime rate, the lowest in the state.
How Does Nebraska Compare?
| State | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Nebraska | 82 |
| Kansas | 81 |
| Iowa | 82 |
| Idaho | 85 |
| Illinois | 77 |
| Indiana | 61 |
| Alaska | 65 |
| Colorado | 82 |
| Florida | 70 |
Useful Information
Visas
You will need a Visa to enter the United States and will have to show it when you enter the country. Beyond that, you will not have to show your Visa or entry papers. It can be used as identification, however. You will need to get your Visa in your home country.
Currency
The U.S. Dollar is the standard of currency, and you must use the dollar if you are spending cash in Nebraska. Credit cards from anywhere are accepted and the exchange of dollars is made as part of the transaction. You may exchange currency at any bank, or at the airport.
Weather
Nebraska can be hot in summer, but it is generally temperate. It does not get too hot there. Winter can be very cold and there can be snow at times. Dress warmly in winter. Fall or spring can change quickly, so you may need to have warm and cool weather clothing during those seasons.
Airports
Omaha has an international airport and has direct flights to some countries. Most flights to Omaha still pass through Chicago or Denver. Lincoln has a national airport with flights to international hubs like Denver or Chicago. There are some smaller airports in the state that have local flights.
Travel Insurance
Even in a safe state like Nebraska, anything could happen. It is a terrible feeling to be on vacation and get stranded somewhere. If you have travel insurance, it will help you get home and protect you from more losses. Travel insurance is great also if you have a lot of reservations. If something goes wrong and you have to change plans, you will not lose as much.
Nebraska Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 1 | 4 | 10 | 17 | 23 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 26 | 19 | 10 | 3 |
| Low °C | -10 | -7 | -2 | 5 | 11 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 13 | 6 | -2 | -7 |
| High °F | 34 | 39 | 50 | 63 | 73 | 84 | 90 | 86 | 79 | 66 | 50 | 37 |
| Low °F | 14 | 19 | 28 | 41 | 52 | 63 | 68 | 66 | 55 | 43 | 28 | 19 |
Nebraska - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Chadron | 78 |
| Grand Island | 74 |
| Gretna | 79 |
| Hastings | 76 |
| Kearney | 77 |
| La Vista | 74 |
| Lincoln | 46 |
| McCook | 78 |
| Nebraska City | 79 |
| North Platte | 73 |
| Ogallala | 80 |
| Omaha | 62 |
| Papillion | 78 |
| Scottsbluff | 71 |
| South Sioux City | 78 |
| Valentine | 78 |
| Wilber | 81 |
Very safe
I can attest to the water being of good quality here. It seems their water system is indeed good. The parks here are quite something and will leave you with a good impression. Nebraska is not the biggest tourist attraction there is but it’s a nice place nonetheless.