Lincoln, NE Crime Rate & Safety

Lincoln, NE has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 38% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 399 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 62 chance for property crime. Lincoln has lower crime than 73% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Lincoln is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. Approximately 94% of the city's 49 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Village Gardens is one of the safest areas, while Hawley has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Lincoln is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Lincoln are Village Gardens, Yankee Hill, Hitching Post Hills, Salt Valley View, and Pester Ridge. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Lincoln include Hawley, Capitol View, Malone, Clinton, and Everett. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Lincoln is 250.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 34% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 399 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.4 per 100K (33% below average); aggravated assault at 170.5 per 100K (36% below average); robbery at 54.6 per 100K (26% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Lincoln is 1,604.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 12% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 62 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 197.4 per 100K (27% below average); larceny/theft at 1,181.1 per 100K (16% below average); vehicle theft at 226.2 per 100K (29% below average).

Lincoln's overall crime rate is 38% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (16% below average), while assault is 36% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Lincoln has lower crime than 73% of them.

Lincoln is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 12% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Village Gardens, Yankee Hill, Hitching Post Hills.

Nebraska as a whole has crime that is 19% above the national average. Lincoln's crime rate is 38% below the national average, making it safer the typical Nebraska city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Lincoln, with an estimated rate of 1,181.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 16% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,605 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (251 per 100K) in Lincoln, which is consistent with national trends.