Kearney, NE Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 84% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Kearney Safe?
Kearney has a crime rate that is 45% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 448.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 448
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
41% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 68
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
20% lower than national average
Kearney Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
76 | -24% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
73 | -27% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Kearney Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Kearney Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Kearney zip codes.
Kearney Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Kearney, NE?
Kearney, NE has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 45% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 448 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 68 chance for property crime. Kearney has lower crime than 84% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Kearney, NE safe to live in?
Kearney is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Kearney is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Kearney?
The estimated violent crime rate in Kearney is 223.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 41% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 448 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.2 per 100K (35% below average); aggravated assault at 155.9 per 100K (42% below average); robbery at 45.0 per 100K (39% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Kearney?
The estimated property crime rate in Kearney is 1,460.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 20% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 68 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 158.3 per 100K (41% below average); larceny/theft at 1,068.3 per 100K (24% below average); vehicle theft at 234.2 per 100K (27% below average).
How does Kearney crime compare to the national average?
Kearney's overall crime rate is 45% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (24% below average), while rape is 43% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Kearney has lower crime than 84% of them.
Is Kearney safe to visit?
Kearney is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 20% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Kearney crime compare to the rest of Nebraska?
Nebraska as a whole has crime that is 19% above the national average. Kearney's crime rate is 45% below the national average, making it safer the typical Nebraska city.
What type of crime is most common in Kearney?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Kearney, with an estimated rate of 1,068.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 24% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,461 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (223 per 100K) in Kearney, which is consistent with national trends.