Lincoln, NE Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Lincoln, NE

Is Lincoln, NE safe to live in?

Yes — Lincoln ranks as Very Safe (A) city-wide, and the data backs that up convincingly. Of the 49 neighborhoods analyzed for 2026, 81.6% earned a Grade A and another 12.2% earned a Grade B, meaning 94% of all neighborhoods fall into the safe-or-better category. Not a single neighborhood received a D or F grade. Standouts like Yankee Hill (A+, median income $156,531) and Family Acres (A+, population 8,926) demonstrate that safety holds across both affluent enclaves and larger residential communities. The small share of neighborhoods with elevated concern — Hawley (C−), Capitol View (C+), and Malone (C+) — represent just 6.1% of the city, and none reached a D or F threshold.

What is the crime rate in Lincoln, NE?

Lincoln's overall crime picture earns a Grade B on a city-wide basis, while its neighborhood-level safety rating rises to Grade A (Very Safe) — a distinction worth understanding. The neighborhood-level grade reflects that the vast majority of the city's 280,780 residents live in areas rated A or B: 40 neighborhoods at Grade A and 6 at Grade B. Only 3 neighborhoods (6.1%) sit at Grade C — Hawley (C−), Capitol View (C+), and Malone (C+) — and none scored lower. For context, Lincoln's 3.5% unemployment rate and $60,063 median household income contribute to the economic stability that correlates with lower crime in most of its communities.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Lincoln?

Ten neighborhoods earned the top A+ grade in 2026. Here's how they break down by key stats:

• Yankee Hill — A+, population 501, median income $156,531
• Hitching Post Hills — A+, population 28, median income $156,544
• Pester Ridge — A+, population 28, median income $156,544
• Village Gardens — A+, population 755, median income $126,731
• Crown Point — A+, population 841, median income $118,458
• Family Acres — A+, population 8,926, median income $116,762
• Country Club — A+, population 5,483, median income $108,195
• Colonial Hills — A+, population 4,157, median income $106,577
• Highlands — A+, population 6,670, median income $99,786
• Salt Valley View — A+, population 132, median income $91,221

Notably, Family Acres, Highlands, and Country Club combine high safety grades with substantial populations, suggesting these aren't just quiet cul-de-sacs — they're large, well-established communities with consistently low crime activity.

Which neighborhoods in Lincoln have higher crime?

Five neighborhoods carry elevated crime grades relative to the city average. Three fall at Grade C — Hawley (C−), Capitol View (C+), and Malone (C+) — while Clinton (B−) and Everett (B−) sit just below the city norm at Grade B−. Together, these five areas represent a small fraction of Lincoln's 49 analyzed neighborhoods. Importantly, even the lowest-graded neighborhood (Hawley at C−) does not approach a D or F, meaning Lincoln lacks the high-risk zones found in many comparable U.S. cities. Residents and newcomers who prioritize safety should simply note these areas when evaluating housing options and use the interactive crime map to review specific block-level patterns.

Is Lincoln a good place to live for families?

The data makes a strong case. 94% of Lincoln's neighborhoods are rated Grade A or B, and the city's unemployment rate of 3.5% is well below the national average. With a median home value of $180,047 and median rent of $871, housing remains accessible compared to most major metros. Family-oriented neighborhoods like Family Acres (A+, pop. 8,926), Highlands (A+, pop. 6,670), and Colonial Hills (A+, pop. 4,157) combine size, safety, and above-average incomes — hallmarks of stable family communities. The city's 12.8% poverty rate is a factor to acknowledge, but it exists alongside a broadly safe neighborhood landscape that gives most residents access to low-crime living environments.

How does Lincoln compare to other Nebraska cities in terms of safety?

Lincoln's overall Grade B crime rating combined with a Very Safe (A) neighborhood-level score puts it among Nebraska's safer large cities. The fact that 0% of its 49 neighborhoods received a D or F grade is a meaningful benchmark — many cities of similar or smaller size have at least a handful of high-crime pockets. With 81.6% of neighborhoods at Grade A, Lincoln's safety profile is broadly distributed rather than concentrated in a few elite enclaves, which suggests city-wide infrastructure, policing, and community investment are functioning effectively across most zip codes.