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You don't have to worry about dying from boredom in Nebraska; you do, however, need to worry about making it out of The Cornhusker State's most dangerous places to live alive.
We're not talking about a bunch of tomfoolery, folks. The most dangerous places in Nebraska are experiencing murders in broad daylight and porch packages don't have a chance. So, if you're looking to move to Nebraska, or currently live in the state and need a change, check out RoadSnacks' list of the most dangerous places in Nebraska for 2022.
How'd we determine the most dangerous places in horse country? We consulted the numbers. In total, we analyzed 21 cities. We looked at the FBI's latest crime report for violent crime and property crime statistics for every place with over 5,000 residents. We discovered that there has been an uptick in violent crimes compared to the national average over the last 4 years. Nebraska hasn't seen numbers like these since 2000; and folks, 2000 wasn't a good year. Not to mention, cities like Omaha keep showing up on the most dangerous cities in the country lists as well as ours, time and time again.
Do we think that there's a direct correlation between the places in Nebraska with high unemployment and low wages to those that have the highest crime? Absolutely. So, if you already live in Nebraska's safest city, consider yourself lucky. But, if you need to know where Nebraska's most dangerous places are located before you make a big move, check out our list below before you head out: we wouldn't want you to get caught in any crossfire.
The Most Dangerous Cities In Nebraska For 2022
If you guessed that most of Nebraska's problems are centered around many of the state's biggest cities, you guessed right. Cheaper rent and the promise of better jobs with higher wages is usually the draw, but not always the outcome. Surprisingly, however, the state's most dangerous city is not one of the state's most populated.
What is the most dangerous place in Nebraska? Without further adieu, the most dangerous place in Nebraska is North Platte.
If you want to know where the rest of Nebraska's most dangerous cities are located, take a look below. And if you don't find what you're looking for there, head to the bottom.
Learn more about the safest places in Nebraska.
If you're looking for something more national, check out the most dangerous cities in America or the most dangerous states in America.
For more Nebraska reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Nebraska
- Cheapest Places To Live In Nebraska
- Most Dangerous Cities In Nebraska
The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Nebraska For 2022
Some of that wild west's lawlessness still remains in North Platte, which is rank as the most dangerous city in Nebraska. Home to Buffalo Bill and the Buffalo Bill State Historical Park, North Platte ranks third highest in violent crimes and highest in property crimes.
While you're there, get out above it all and take in the sights at the Golden Spike Tower. It's 7th floor open-air observation tower overlooks the world's largest train classification yard at Union Pacific Railroad Bailey Yard. You'll see more trains in one place than you've ever seen before.
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Population: 23,523
Rank Last Year: 2 (Up 1)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 420 (Third most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,485 (Most dangerous)
More on North Platte: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
A stop on the Lewis and Clark national historic trail, Omaha is known for its pioneer history, museums, and cultural centers. But Omaha's still number 2 on the list of most dangerous cities in Nebraska. Lewis and Clark would hate knowing they have a 1 in 158 chance of being a victim of violent crime if they were alive today.
Another notable fact is that Omahas is home to the NCAA College World Series. You may want to have a catcher's mask and vest with you because Omaha also ranks 2 in the state for violent and property crimes. Either way, be aware of your surroundings, especially if you visit the east and south ends of town.
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Population: 480,297
Rank Last Year: 1 (Down 1)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 631 (Second most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,174 (Second most dangerous)
More on Omaha: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
Scottsbluff is the largest city in Nebraska's panhandle region. Named after Scotts Bluff, a rounded cliff overlooking the Platts River, the city is the third most dangerous city in Nebraska. Although the city moved from its previous rank of 6.0, if you're visiting Scottsbluff you need to remember it still ranks sixth highest in violent crime.
You may want to see the oldest concrete road called Scotts Bluff Sumit Road or get in some hiking on the bluff while you're there. But be warned -- you could need to pack a little extra protection for yourself along with your hiking gear.
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Population: 15,665
Rank Last Year: 6 (Up 3)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 383 (Sixth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,917 (Third most dangerous)
More on Scottsbluff: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
It's a bit ironic that the home of the Law Enforcement Training Center is located in Grand Island, and this city made this list of most dangerous places in Nebraska. You'd think it would be one of the safest places to live.
In Grand Island, you have a 1 in 238 chance of being a victim of a violent crime and a 1 in 41 chance of experiencing some form of property crime. Needless to say, you better keep your wits about you, even though you're in the town that trains our future law enforcement officers.
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Population: 51,547
Rank Last Year: 5 (Up 1)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 419 (Fourth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,440 (Fifth most dangerous)
More on Grand Island: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
South Sioux City is located on the western side of the Missouri River across from Sioux City, Iowa and ranks number 5 on this list. Sioux City boasts that it has the only half-scale exact replica of the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which is located in Siouxland Freedom Park. If you can't make it to Washington DC to see the real memorial, then South Sioux City has the next best thing.
But be aware, South Sioux City changed up 4 positions from last year. That's in part because you have a 1 in 254 of being a victim to a violent crime and 1 in 43 chance to experience a property crime each year. South Sioux City is certainly not one of the safest places to live in America.
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Population: 12,746
Rank Last Year: 9 (Up 4)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 392 (Fifth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,322 (Sixth most dangerous)
More on South Sioux City: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
On to the next place on our list, Crete -- the sixth most dangerous in Nebraska for 2022. Crete ranks highest in violent crime, not the best if we're being honest.
It's not all crime in Crete though. If you're interested in a little hometown family fun, check out Crete's Great Pumpkin Festival. The Great Pumpkin Festival lasts for 3 days, so make sure you are aware of your surroundings while you're carving pumpkins and enjoying carnival games.
Crete is located in Saline County 20 miles southwest of Lincoln.
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Population: 7,009
Rank Last Year: 8 (Up 2)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 798 (Most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,498 (12th most dangerous)
More on Crete: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
If you're into travel, Kearney might be the place for you. Founded as a railroad town, the former western outpost celebrates that past with the Trails & Rails Museum. Meanwhile, the current community sits just off I-80 in the south-central part of the state. If you're on a cross-country trip, you might consider a stop for gas and a meal -- there's not many other options nearby.
However, when you stop, keep your guard up. This represents the number 7 most dangerous spot in Kansas. The city reports high rates of both property and violent crimes, including 548 larcenies and 79 assaults in a year.
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Population: 34,201
Rank Last Year: -
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 356 (Seventh most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,982 (Seventh most dangerous)
More on Kearney: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
The eighth most dangerous city in Nebraska is Nebraska City, the County seat of Otoe county. Home to the Applejack Festival, known as the mother of all fruit-based festivals, be sure to have your wits about you -- and your property too.
Nebraska City ranks number 2 for burglary and number 4 for property crimes in Nebraska. Those stats combine to make Nebraska City fourth highest worst for property crime in the state.
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Population: 7,292
Rank Last Year: 4 (Down 4)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 178 (11th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,454 (Fourth most dangerous)
More on Nebraska City: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
If you're into cemetery tours, then Sidney, Nebraska is the place for you. At Sidney Boot Hill Cemetery, you'll find the graves of wild west outlaws from the 1800s. From 1876 to 1881, Sidney's number of murders and attempted murders rose to 56.
However, when you're visiting today, you're still likely to be a crime victim. Sidney ranks eighth highest in property crime and tenth highest in violent crime. So keep your personal property close to you while you read those gravestones.
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Population: 6,049
Rank Last Year: 7 (Down 2)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 181 (Tenth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,785 (Eighth most dangerous)
More on Sidney: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
Beatrice got its start in the mid-19th century when a bunch of passengers got stock after a riverboat accident. A group of them founded an association that sought to establish a community and -- boom! -- Beatrice was born, named after the daughter of one of the leading settlers.
Even with just 12,238 residents, Beatrice represents the main population center of an otherwise largely agricultural region, located in southeast Nebraska. Unfortunately, even this relatively mild concentration of people leads to some tensions. This includes a high rate of violent crimes, including 14 sexual assaults.
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Population: 12,238
Rank Last Year: 20 (Up 10)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 318 (Eighth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,380 (14th most dangerous)
More on Beatrice: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
Methodology: How we determined the most dangerous cities in Nebraska for 2022?
Every year the FBI release two crime datasets, a preliminary dataset limited to the biggest cities in the country, followed by a more detailed release at the end of the year.
For our analysis, we focused on the JUST released 2020 data, specifically the 2020 Crime In The United States Report. We will update the results when data becomes available in September 2022.
So what criteria did we use? Have a look:
- Violent Crimes Per Capita
- Property Crimes Per Capita
In order to make the analysis as apples to apples as possible, we only considered Nebraska cities over 5,000 in population. That left us with 21 cities in Nebraska.
We then ranked each city from 1 to 21 for the two criteria with a #1 ranking being the most dangerous for the particular criteria.
Next, we averaged the two rankings into one "Dangerous Index".
Finally, we ranked every city on the "Dangerous Index" with the lowest index being the most dangerous in Nebraska -- North Platte. Any ties went to the smaller city. You can download the data here.
Most Dangerous Places To Live In Nebraska FAQs
Is Nebraska a dangerous state?
No, Nebraska is not a dangerous state as it ranks as the #22 safest state in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. The violent crime rate in nebraska ranks 29th highest in the United States -- 13.85% better than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the Cornhusker State ranks 28th highest in the United States -- 2.5% better than US average property crime rate. The latest reporting year from the FBI was 2020.
Is Omaha, NE a dangerous city?
Yes, Omaha is a dangerous city. Omaha ranks as the #102 most dangerous out of 320 major cities over 100,000 people in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. Keep in mind that are always safe and dangerous parts of any city, so even though Omaha might be considered dangerous you still need to be aware of where you are.
Compared to other big cities, the violent crime rate in Omaha ranks 102nd highest in America -- 15.01% worse than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the ranks 95th highest in the United States -- 19.53% worse than US average property crime rate. Note the latest reporting year from the FBI was 2020 and that no city in America is 'dangerous'. Despite the uptick in murders, it's nothing like you'd see in Tijuana or Caracas where the murder rate is 2x any American city.
Graphing The Most Dangerous And Safest Places In Nebraska
Summary: Locking It All Up In Nebraska
So what is the most dangerous city in Nebraska? After analyzing 21 cities in Nebraska, North Platte takes the top spot as the most dangerous city in Nebraska based on the most recently reported FBI data -- 2020.
The latest FBI crime data shows that North Platte ranks as the most dangerous city in Nebraska for 2022.
We want to point out again that there's still safes places in North Platte and that this isn't a comment on the people that live there. So please don't beat us up.
If you guessed that most of Nebraska's problems are centered around many of the state's biggest cities, you guessed right. Cheaper rent and the promise of better jobs with higher wages is usually the draw, but not always the outcome. Surprisingly, however, the state's most dangerous city is not one of the state's most populated.
What is the most dangerous place in Nebraska? Without further adieu, the most dangerous place in Nebraska is North Platte.
If you want to know where the rest of Nebraska's most dangerous cities are located, take a look below. And if you don't find what you're looking for there, head to the bottom.
Learn more about the safest places in Nebraska.
If you're looking for something more national, check out the most dangerous cities in America or the most dangerous states in America.
Here are the safest cities in Nebraska:
- La Vista (Pop. 17,228)
- Lexington (Pop. 10,103)
- Gering (Pop. 8,086)
- Papillion (Pop. 20,512)
- Blair (Pop. 7,919)
- Holdrege (Pop. 5,399)
- Norfolk (Pop. 24,467)
- Plattsmouth (Pop. 6,435)
- Schuyler (Pop. 6,312)
- Seward (Pop. 7,242)
For more Nebraska reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Nebraska
- Cheapest Places To Live In Nebraska
- Most Dangerous Cities In Nebraska
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Nebraska
- Safest Places In Nebraska
- Worst Places To Live In Nebraska
Crime By City In Nebraska
Rank | City | Population |
---|---|---|
1 | North Platte | 23,523 |
2 | Omaha | 480,297 |
3 | Scottsbluff | 15,665 |
4 | Grand Island | 51,547 |
5 | South Sioux City | 12,746 |
6 | Crete | 7,009 |
7 | Kearney | 34,201 |
8 | Nebraska City | 7,292 |
9 | Sidney | 6,049 |
10 | Beatrice | 12,238 |
11 | Ralston | 7,422 |
12 | La Vista | 17,228 |
13 | Lexington | 10,103 |
14 | Gering | 8,086 |
15 | Papillion | 20,512 |
16 | Blair | 7,919 |
17 | Holdrege | 5,399 |
18 | Norfolk | 24,467 |
19 | Plattsmouth | 6,435 |
20 | Schuyler | 6,312 |
21 | Seward | 7,242 |