C+
9%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
16%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
8%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleKearney/100k peopleNebraska/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime665n/a (estimate)1,9261,8472,119
Murder1n/a2.92.15.0
Rape34n/a98.543.537.5
Robbery6n/a17.420.560.6
Assault63n/a182.5154.5256.1
Violent crime104n/a (estimate)301221359
Burglary58n/a168.0155.1229.2
Theft466n/a1,349.81,218.91,272.1
Vehicle theft37n/a107.2252.6258.8
Property crime561n/a (estimate)1,6251,6271,760

Kearney crime map

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The Kearney crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Kearney as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Kearney crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Kearney crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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An Overview of Crime Rates in Kearney, NE

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Kearney is 9.1% lower than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Kearney, there were 104 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 301 per 100,000 individuals, 16.1% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 561 property crimes, amounting to 1625 per 100,000 residents, 7.7% lower than the U.S. average.

The Kearney crime rate is about average when compared to all the other cities across the U.S. per 100,000 residents. When we compared the total crimes (violent and property) in Kearney, we found that the reported crime rates were almost equal to the average of all other areas that reported crime.

In the most recent release, Kearney reported a property crime rate that closely aligns with the national average. In Kearney, there were 1625 reported property crimes, a figure consistent with the national average of 1760 per 100,000 individuals. This positions the area as maintaining a level of safety and security on par with the typical city. The harmonious statistics underscore a balanced commitment to community well-being, offering residents a sense of stability and peace in their surroundings.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Kearney?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Kearney residents. Out of the respondents (119 in total), 82% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Kearney were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 18% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Kearney a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Kearney, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Kearney presents a total crime rate that is 9% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Kearney experiences an average of 1.82 daily crimes, comprising 0.28 violent incidents and 1.54 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Kearney Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Kearney has increased by 35.2%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Kearney, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 19.5%, while property crime has increased by 38.5%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Kearney is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Kearney

In Kearney, the poverty rate currently stands at 14.7%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Kearney crime rates.

In Kearney, the cost of living is 0.5% lower than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Kearney, the average monthly rent stands at $1,197, while the national average is $1,444 per month.

Compare Kearney, NE Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Kearney crime rates are 9% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Kearney are 16% lower than the national average
      • In Kearney you have a 1 in 52 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Kearney is safer than 31% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Kearney has decreased by 9%

      Kearney, NE Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Kearney

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        Daily Crime In Kearney (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Kearney, NE per 100,000 people. In Kearney, the total number of daily crimes is 1.04 times more than the Nebraska average and 1.10 times less than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Kearney is 1.37 times more than the Nebraska average and 1.19 times less than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Kearney has a daily crime rate that is 1.00 times less than the Nebraska average and 1.08 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Kearney (higher is better)

        How safe is Kearney, Nebraska compared to other cities in Nebraska and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Kearney is safer than 11% of the cities in Nebraska and 31% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in Nebraska and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Kearney. Overall, Kearney is ranked below average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Kearney

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Kearney is 1 in 332
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Kearney is 1 in 62
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Kearney is 1 in 52
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Kearney? In Kearney, you have a 1 in 332 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 62. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Kearney, NE is 1 in 52.

        Year Over Year Crime In Kearney (per 100,000 people)

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Kearney, Nebraska (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Kearney has increased by 3%, the amount of property crime in Kearney has decreased by 11%, and the total amount of crime in Kearney has decreased by 9% year over year.

        Kearney police department

        Item Kearney Nebraska National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)652,523558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.12.13.3
        There are a total of 65 Kearney police officers. This results in 2.1 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 2.4% less than the Nebraska average and 36.3% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Nebraska

        State Total offenders Nebraska /100K National /100K
        Nebraska6,070345266
        There are a total of 6,070 sex offenders in Nebraska. This yields a total of 345 sex offenders in Nebraska per 100,000 residents which is 30% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Minden, NE2,97064510573
        Gibbon, NE2,02685631716
        Glenwood, NE56089657746
        Amherst, NE1782601,9262,186
        Riverdale, NE3172671,9742,241
        Kearney, NE34,5433011,6251,926

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        DeLand, FL34,5412391,2691,507
        Dalton, GA34,5372431,9022,146
        Franklin Town, MA34,55795288383
        Alabaster, AL34,559991,5111,610
        Randolph, MA34,5602408941,135
        Kearney, NE34,5433011,6251,926
        Source: The Kearney, NE crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.