Is Papillion Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Papillion, Nebraska, is a fringe community of the Omaha metro area.

It flanks the south side of the region and is one of the fastest-growing communities here while being the county seat of Sarpy County.

While it’s a suburban section of the community, it’s also filled with many outdoor adventures and community events that make it special from the more dense areas of Omaha.

Although the name of the city has French roots, it’s pronounced: “Pap-PILL-yun.”

Some residents and travel sites might refer to it as Papio.

The city is also renovating the downtown Papillion area by expanding the space and restoring amenities in a blighted section of town.

The Papillion Business and Technology Park is also bringing more companies (and residents) to town, hoping to make this a premier destination in the broader Lincoln/Omaha region.

Most of the hotels will be in nearby La Vista or Bellevue, but you have a handful of options in Papillion.

More are certainly to come as this city expands.

Warnings & Dangers in Papillion

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low overall risk here since the community is highly residential and voted one of the best small towns in America by Business Insider.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

The Omaha Metro Transit system does go to Papillion. Rideshares and taxis will be easy to find. Rental cars are available at the airport or throughout the greater Omaha metro area.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

This is a low risk, but your car is a different story. Never leave a car unlocked or with the windows rolled down. Keep all personal items out of plain sight, or remove them completely.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

The outdoor nature of Papillion's attractions makes this a firm medium risk. Winter weather can create great options but can also cause treacherous roads and dangerously cold temperatures. Spring brings severe storm seasons with tornadoes and large hail. That risk runs through fall.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

This is a low risk, with no more than four happening in any year dating back to 2000. In 2021, there was just one robbery.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Offutt Air Force Base is nearby, which would bring more of a risk but also an incredible amount of security. You shouldn't be worried if you see military planes flying overhead. It's actually a whole tourist attraction within itself! There's no reason to worry about terrorism in Papillion.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

This is another low risk, as most scam attempts are against residents. You can check the latest scams on law enforcement websites and social media sites or check in with the Better Business Bureau.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

There's a low risk for women here, and they'll love the family-friendly safe spaces and shopping districts to explore in a suburban setting while having the nightlife of Omaha as an option nearby.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2022 Water Quality Report shows no violations and full compliance with all state and federal standards. We also love the responsible nature of this report, as it was posted months in advance of the June deadline.

Safest Places to Visit in Papillion

Papillion’s city website has a visitor’s guide section with all the attractions available.

I especially love that this guide just covers Papillion and not the entire Omaha area.

Visit Omaha is the tourism website for the greater region, and then Visit Nebraska is the statewide tourism site.

Walnut Creek Lake and Recreation Area are one of the big draws in Papillion.

The 450-acre park has a large lake, campsites, 3 miles of trails that connect to other city trails, and several playground options.

Check for events, closures, and safety rules on the Facebook page @walnutcreekrecreationarea.

Halleck Park is the choice for plant and flower lovers, as it has an arboretum in addition to 70 acres of trails and sports activities.

There’s even a sand volleyball court and horseshoe pit.

Papio Fun Park is more than just a park.

It’s an amusement center of go-karts, mini golf, laser tag, and batting cages with an arcade and special booths to test your sports skills.

You can buy wristbands for a better bargain while experiencing more attractions.

For a true taste of Nebraska fun, look up the events happening during your visit to Bellevue Berry Farm.

Each season brings a new “U Pick Em” opportunity or event.

The site has hayrides and treehouses to explore, and there’s a small mock Western town to play in.

(For the kids… yeah… the kids.)

This location has become especially popular around Halloween.

Get your shopping fix, or just enjoy a stroll through the Shadow Lake Towne Center.

This open-air mall has plenty of restaurants too.

I would also recommend any Omaha visitor take the time to visit the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

This zoo has won many accolades and is known as one of the premiere zoos in the Midwest.

You can see for yourself by visiting Omahazoo.com.

I like to take the beautiful back roads of Nebraska to get to Omaha and avoid the crazy drivers on I-80, so I must recommend one of my favorite stopping points just 30 minutes south of Papillion.

Platte River State Park is a magical place that usually isn’t too crowded.

There are waterfalls and rocky inclines to give sweeping views of the Platte River.

Camping has been expanded to rugged options or “Glamping” for those who don’t like the outdoors beyond climate control.

Places to Avoid in Papillion

You don’t need to worry about the bad part of Papillion.

This is a safe city with plenty of safe neighborhoods, parks, and recreation areas.

Since it’s close to the Platte and Missouri River, you do want to check the flood stages or river advisories before you visit any riverfront area.

Flash flooding or ice jams on the river can cause problems.

You should also check the air quality each day, as fires or wind can cause smoke or unhealthy dust particles to be in the air.

Those with respiratory issues or allergies can really be triggered by these events.

I live about 30 minutes from Papillion, and I arranged my outdoor time today around the Red Flag Warning and air advisory.

I use the Air Now app daily.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Papillion

So... How Safe Is Papillion Really?

Papillion is a safe place where unruly teenagers doing TikTok trends and property damage are more common than violent crimes.

Even the few violent crimes that do happen aren’t against strangers.

Since 2015, violent crimes have been down 250%.

38% of all thefts are related to car break-ins or accessory thefts, with an average loss of $900 per theft!

On a more positive note, from 2019 to 2021, theft rates were cut in half in Papillion.

The city is also located far enough away from Omaha, on the outer edge of the metro area, that even the more dangerous parts of the bigger city aren’t nearby.

Papillion has avoided the rising crime rates plaguing America but still should be treated with all the same safety precautions.

As this is a more outdoor area, you need weather awareness and education for storms and water safety.

There’s no reason to pause when considering Papillion as an extension of an Omaha trip.

How Does Papillion Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

International tourists have the same requirements no matter where they land or enter the U.S. A passport not within six months of expiring is required, along with either a visa or visa waiver. Some country's residents are eligible for the Visa Waiver program, but you'll need to review the State Department website to see if you qualify.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar is also consistently used across the country, with no other options for payment. While you can exchange currency at certain locations in Omaha, your home bank will give lower fees and better value. You'll also get better fraud protection with credit card purchases instead of cash.

Weather

You'll want comfortable and casual layers of clothing, especially in fall and spring when the temperatures can fluctuate. Winter can be very cold, but there isn't always snow on the ground. It's really important to check the forecast a few days before you arrive because the weather changes quickly here. You'll need bug spray and sunscreen in the summer, and plan for humid conditions.

Airports

Eppley Airfield is Omaha's airport, and it's the biggest one around. The airport is 30 minutes from Papillion, but always check the 511 Nebraska app for traffic backups.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is the best value to protect every leg of your trip from emergencies, weather delays, and severe weather cancelations.

Papillion Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Nebraska - Safety by City