| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Lincoln/100k people | Nebraska/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 8,264 | n/a (estimate) | 2,794 | 1,847 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 8 | n/a | 2.7 | 2.1 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 188 | n/a | 63.6 | 43.5 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 120 | n/a | 40.6 | 20.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 713 | n/a | 241.0 | 154.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 1,029 | n/a (estimate) | 348 | 221 | 359 |
| Burglary | 776 | n/a | 262.3 | 155.1 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 5,513 | n/a | 1,863.7 | 1,218.9 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 946 | n/a | 319.8 | 252.6 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 7,235 | n/a (estimate) | 2,446 | 1,627 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Lincoln is 31.8% higher 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 Lincoln, there were 1029 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 348 per 100,000 individuals, 3.1% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 7235 property crimes, amounting to 2446 per 100,000 residents, 39% higher than the U.S. average.
Lincoln exhibits a violent crime rate that closely echoes the national average reported by all cities, with 348 incidents per 100,000 people, in line with the nationwide figure of 359. This uniformity underscores Lincoln as a community where safety standards align seamlessly with the broader national context, delivering residents a steadfast and dependable sense of security.
AreaVibes surveyed 137 local residents in Lincoln to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 34% of people answered that there was very little crime in Lincoln and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 66% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.
To determine if Lincoln is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Lincoln has a total crime rate that is 32% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 22.64 daily crimes (2.82 violent daily crimes and 19.82 daily property crimes) in Lincoln.
Year-over-year crime rates in Lincoln has decreased by 10.6% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Lincoln is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 16.8%, while property crime has decreased by 9.6%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Lincoln.
The Lincoln region comprises an array of over 37 distinct neighborhoods, each characterized by its unique crime rate influenced by factors including location and socioeconomic conditions. Typically, neighborhoods situated near the city center or downtown core exhibit higher crime rates owing to their higher population density. Conversely, neighborhoods on the city's outskirts tend to boast lower population density, along with reduced unemployment and poverty rates, contributing to a safer environment. Among the secure neighborhoods in Lincoln are exemplars such as High Ridge-Cushman, Capitol Beach and Yankee Ridge, whereas Arnold Heights, Everett and Salt Valley View grapple with an above-average reported crime rate. This underscores the necessity for thorough evaluation across multiple neighborhoods, given their notable variations in crime rates.
Lincoln has a population density of 3163.7 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Lincoln crime rates.
Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Lincoln, the cost of living is 0.75% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
In Lincoln, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 1.57 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Lincoln | Nebraska | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 414 | 2,523 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.6 | 2.1 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Nebraska /100K | National /100K |
| Nebraska | 6,070 | 345 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Hickman, NE | 2,489 | 49 | 359 | 408 |
| Bennet, NE | 1,123 | 53 | 394 | 447 |
| Waverly, NE | 4,029 | 72 | 529 | 601 |
| Woodland Hills, NE | 210 | 89 | 657 | 746 |
| Raymond, NE | 238 | 107 | 790 | 897 |
| Panama, NE | 253 | 174 | 1,288 | 1,463 |
| Yankee Hill, NE | 224 | 202 | 1,495 | 1,697 |
| Lincoln, NE | 293,945 | 348 | 2,446 | 2,794 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Orlando, FL | 294,679 | 215 | 1,144 | 1,359 |
| Newark, NJ | 290,764 | 581 | 1,957 | 2,539 |
| Plano, TX | 297,929 | 152 | 1,466 | 1,618 |
| Durham, NC | 285,434 | 619 | 3,800 | 4,419 |
| Anchorage, AK | 302,697 | 1,015 | 2,766 | 3,781 |
| Lincoln, NE | 293,945 | 348 | 2,446 | 2,794 |
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