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
Omaha, Nebraska, offers Midwestern values – in its people and its prices – with big city opportunities, at least by Nebraska standards.
The biggest Nebraska city straddles the state’s east side along the Missouri River.
Iowa is just across the river, and you can actually stand in two places at once when you’re downtown.
While Nebraska is a big agricultural state, Omaha offers the best of the world.
You can dine high-end or eat fresh corn from a farmer’s market.
You could have the best steak of your life or make a Runza run for a bun full of uniqueness Nebraskans swear by.
Omaha has a way of making people fall in love with it.
Don’t believe me?
Even billionaire mogul Warren Buffet lives in a neighborhood here in a modest home he’s owned for decades.
He could live anywhere in the world or buy his own island, and he chose the Dundee neighborhood of Omaha.
Local sports are a big deal in Omaha and across Nebraska, while most fans support the University of Lincoln Huskers.
The World Series for college baseball brings in major crowds each summer.
Then you’ve got fall filled with pumpkin patches and haunted houses, which gives way to community holiday events.
Omaha is a great place to visit any time of year.
Warnings & Dangers in Omaha
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
Omaha Police Department didn't provide complete crime data for 2021 (nor did 40% of all law enforcement nationwide). We have enough data from 2021 and 2020 to piece together information, and I'll be clear about what information comes from what year. There's a low risk in Omaha, with some higher-risk neighborhoods and specific warnings we need to address. It's getting really close to medium risk.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Metro is the public transportation system here, with local bus routes and express services along the busy Dodge Street. You can easily call a taxi or book rideshares. Rental cars are available too. There's low risk with any option, but having a car would be ideal.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
As someone who visits Omaha often, I was surprised to see there is a medium risk of being pickpocketed or having a purse snatched. 5% of all thefts in 2020 were due to pickpocketing or purse snatching. I spend most of my time in central or west Omaha, and I never worry about this, but the downtown area has greater incidents.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
The medium risk here comes from various weather events that can be severe throughout the year. Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are the biggest threat when it's warm, with spring being the peak of the severe weather season. Winters can be cold and snowy or mild and dry. In 2020, eastern Nebraska recorded a foot and a half of snow in a 24-hour period. The next year, the city hardly got any snow. You just have to be prepared for everything here. Oh, and it's very windy in Nebraska, which is annoying at best and fuels wildfires at worst.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
The robbery risk is just below the national average. With the violent crime rate being 30% higher than the national average, treat this with low risk, but don't let your guard down. Never fight back against an armed robber. Criminals here aren't afraid to turn a robbery into an aggravated assault.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
The size of the city isn't the biggest factor, but it's the presence of Offut Air Force Base and the central distribution and transportation location of the city that leads to medium risk. There is a lot of law enforcement presence from all levels of the government to address any safety concerns related to terrorism.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Nebraskans are nice people and can be too easy to take advantage of, but tourists are unlikely to face the common scams. The locals are the main targets, with utility and law enforcement scams or the ongoing "Grandparent Scam," where scammers call elderly people posing as a grandchild in desperate need of help.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
The sexual assault rate is bordering on double the national average. While the western side of the city is more suburban, use extra caution when enjoying the nightlife downtown. Don't walk around the river or downtown at night by yourself.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
Tap water meets all required standards and is safe to use for drinking and bathing. A child's death from a river amoeba caused outrage and concern about water quality, but the water utility for Douglas County assures us that it has nothing to do with tap water quality.
Safest Places to Visit in Omaha
VisitOmaha.com is the official website of the tourism bureau.
You can sign up for the Omaha Savings Pack on that website, and you’ll get a free water bottle too.
I wouldn’t be a good Nebraskan if I didn’t talk about the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
While every community loves its zoo, this one gets national and global accolades.
It’s just a zoo, it’s THE zoo.
Touting the world’s largest indoor desert and rainforest, the zoo offers a swamp, a canyon, and caves.
Yeah, there are animals too.
VIP experiences include penguin and/or shark feeding and behind-the-scenes tours.
Be sure to book your special adventure at least three weeks in advance.
Want to see more animals in a less crowded setting?
Try Scatter Joy Acres, a rehab farm with a petting zoo open to soothe animal and human spirits.
You’ll be surrounded by farm animals and uniquely able people helping make the animals’ lives better after being neglected or abused.
Down at the riverfront, you’ll find several attractions and event spaces.
The Heartland of America Park is expected to open in 2023 with a slew of attractions and historical spots.
Even if you visit before 2023, you’ll find green spaces, events, and the stunning Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge.
(Just called it the “Bob.” Everyone else does.)
You can walk across the bridge to Iowa and Tom Hanafan Park or just take in the sweeping views of the river and Omaha skyline.
I know when I first saw Omaha, I was surprised by how dynamic the skyline was.
The Old Market District is the new hot spot.
This historical area has been turned into an entertainment hub that’s lively both day and night.
Walk the cobblestone streets while you sip coffee and explore unique stores, or get dressed up for a night on the town and bar hop between urban and eclectic options.
History fans might want to visit the birth site of President Gerald R. Ford.
There’s a brilliant garden display there too.
Civil rights activist Malcolm X was also born in Omaha, and his birthsite is commemorated with a memorial and a plaza.
Walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark at the Historic Trail Visitor Center.
Long before Warren Buffet parked his billions here, the Joslyn family built a castle and called it home.
The Joslyn Castle is open for tours, but check the website for dates and private events scheduled.
Places to Avoid in Omaha
The east side of the side, east of 52nd Street approximately, is where the crime rates start to go up.
There are pockets of downtown and the riverfront where the rates take a dip.
You should always stay in the designated entertainment and public areas.
Don’t drive through neighborhoods or go looking for Warren Buffet’s modest house.
Ask five people about the safety of the Old Market, and you’ll get five different answers.
There’s no denying the history of the Old Market, and there’s a lot to see and do for every interest and age.
There are homeless people here.
At times, you might see a lot of them.
You might even see people leaving food for them (which is going to attract more homeless people).
Police are going to issue tickets if you’re parked illegally, and you might run into drunk people or even some criminals.
I think people forget that Omaha is a big city, and that will come with crimes.
Stay aware of your surroundings, walk with a trusted buddy, and don’t start fights.
Follow that advice, and you’ll be fine.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Omaha
- While Omaha Police didn’t make the FBI too happy by not releasing official crime data, the department’s website is flush with crime statistics for the quarter and year. You can review the common crimes and breakdowns by the district.
- The police department also has a Crime Prevention section with pamphlets for every type of crime down to “How to Use 911.” If you are traveling internationally and need 911, the dispatcher will put you in touch with someone who speaks your native language.
- Visit the Douglas County Emergency Management Page. It’s very detailed without being overwhelming. You can check everything from the local threat levels to emergency activation to storm preparedness. Sign up for Omaha-Douglas County Public Alerts while you’re there. This will get your critical weather information.
- Take all severe weather watches and warnings seriously. Don’t believe the people who tell you about the “Omadome,” an invisible dome that protects Omaha from the worst of severe weather. While the Omadome seems to be categorically true (as a local, we joke about it), there is nothing to stop an EF-5 tornado from coming through the city. People here are desensitized to severe weather, but you should always seek shelter during a tornado warning and start preparing an emergency plan if a tornado watch or severe thunderstorm watch is issued.
- On the flip side, you’ll need to review the street snow plow plan for winter. You can also watch snow plows live on the Nebraska 511 app. If you are staying at a hotel, the private owner is responsible for clearing the parking lot. The city cleans city streets, the county clears county streets, and the state clears state streets. If you are road-tripping, there’s a good chance during winter weather that I-80 will be shut down in the central or western part of the state. Don’t get on the road unless you know it’s going to be clear all the way through the state.
- Download the Park Omaha mobile app to seek out and pay for parking throughout Omaha. Never let a meter run out because the police watch those closely. Just don’t let your meter expire before you try to pay for more time. You also can’t pay more for a meter with a time limit. For example, if you are at a two-hour meter, you can’t pay for the third hour. You have to move the car. If you do get a ticket, you can pay for it online through the app.
- You’re probably wondering why I haven’t addressed the brain-eating amoebae from a local lake. It’s true a young boy did die from naegleria fowleri, but that was a very rare occurrence. The CDC says about three of these happen a year. To protect yourself while swimming in any body of water, check the water quality report from the local environmental government group. When you are swimming, avoid going all the way under and getting your face and hair wet. The amoebae enter through the nose or eyes.
- Anglers need a fishing license from the state, and there are reciprocation agreements with Iowa for those fishing near the state lines. Check the Nebraska Game and Parks website for more information. You’ll find details about hunting licenses for out-of-state residents too.
- Use the crime mapping function on the Omaha Police Department’s website to search for specific crimes closer to your visit. The interactive features make it easy to see whatever type of crime you want near a certain address.
- When you’re looking for directions and come across a numbered street, confirm that it’s in Omaha and not Lincoln. I find that search engines aren’t really good at distinguishing between the two. Also, make sure your GPS is taking you to the Omaha address and not making you go all the way to Lincoln for no reason.
So... How Safe Is Omaha Really?
Omaha is kinda safe.
Again, the west side is still in the city limits but is much more suburban and soccer moms driving their minivans to Target.
The closer you get to downtown, the more you’ll see crime rates going up and neighborhoods getting denser as Suburbia gives way to urban landscapes.
The only crime category of most importance to tourists that is lower than national averages is robbery, and that’s just lower by one point.
This nice Midwestern city in the Heartland has some grit to it.
An average of eight cars a day are stolen, and 32% of those robberies happen in public places, according to 2020 data.
One of the challenges with answering “Is Omaha Safe?” is that the police department doesn’t give specifics.
For example, I can tell you the theft rate is 60% higher than the national average, but I can’t tell you how many of those are pickpockets in 2021.
I can only use 2020 data, which was during the pandemic.
The 2021 data doesn’t show how many robberies were in public places, but I can tell you robberies are up 1% year-to-date as of August 2022.
This is why it’s important to review the quarterly reports on the department’s website.
You can have a safe trip to Omaha as long as you don’t assume “Nebraska Nice” applies to everyone.
In any city with half a million people, you need to watch your back and practice basic safety standards.
How Does Omaha Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Omaha | 62 |
| Baltimore | 56 |
| Boston | 67 |
| Washington DC | 56 |
| New York City | 67 |
| Detroit | 56 |
| San Diego | 67 |
| Calgary (Canada) | 82 |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
| Vancouver (Canada) | 82 |
| Cordoba (Argentina) | 61 |
| Toronto (Canada) | 81 |
| Melbourne (Australia) | 80 |
Useful Information
Visas
You'll need a passport and U.S. Visa or Visa Waiver to get through Customs at the airport. The Visa process can take several months, so research the information on the U.S. State Department's website.
Currency
The good old U.S. Dollar (USD) is the only form of currency accepted here. Don't use public ATMs, especially downtown. Most places will accept credit cards, and you don't need cash for any travel necessities.
Weather
Pack for all seasons in all seasons. Winter will need thick outerwear - at times. Summer will usually be shorts and t-shirt weather, but I can count at least a dozen times this past summer I wore a sweatshirt. Review the seven or 10-day forecast before you go to see what weather patterns are in the forecast, but always know that can change quickly.
Airports
Eppley Airfield is the commercial airport here. It really depends on where you are in Omaha to determine how long it takes to get there. Downtown is just 10 or fewer minutes from the airport, but west Omaha is going to take about 30 minutes, and you have to go on the loop around the city to make the best time.
Travel Insurance
You should get travel insurance for your trip, health, and rental car. Hail storms here can beat up cars, so you want to ensure you aren't on the hook for those repairs if it happens to you.
Omaha Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 1 | 3 | 10 | 18 | 23 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 26 | 18 | 10 | 2 |
| Low °C | -11 | -8 | -2 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 13 | 6 | -2 | -8 |
| High °F | 34 | 37 | 50 | 64 | 73 | 84 | 88 | 86 | 79 | 64 | 50 | 36 |
| Low °F | 12 | 18 | 28 | 41 | 52 | 61 | 66 | 64 | 55 | 43 | 28 | 18 |
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 |
Omahans are very hospitable
Omaha has a lot of great, hospitable people. I’ve encountered a few when I was there and with some I keep in touch. I was shown great hospitality and I want to come back. The place is very safe and has many great places to visit.
I felt comfortable walking around even at night. It’s a city that takes pride in its security, making it a great travel choice.