Nebraska’s Safest Cities of 2025

See crime rates for the safest cities.

Crime seems to be decreasing across the board in Nebraska, making it one of this year's safest states according to our State of Safety survey respondents. Residents reported some of the lowest levels of first-hand crime experiences nationwide, and Nebraskans feel safer in their state than all other Americans. 

We didn't have enough viable data to calculate statewide crime rates for Nebraska this year. But if the safest cities are any indication, it looks like violent crime rates may be declining throughout The Cornhusker State.

Our annual State of Safety survey suggests an even more optimistic trend, with fewer Nebraskans reporting first-hand experiences with all types of crime. These declines mean Nebraskans are among those least likely to experience property crime, package theft, property crime, and gun violence nationwide. 

It therefore comes as no surprise to learn that 71% of Nebraskans feel safe in their state—the highest percentage in the nation and a significant jump from 60% the year before. Despite this high confidence level, 58% believe crime is increasing (US 61%), and 40% worry about safety and security on a daily basis (US 47%).

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Nebraskans we surveyed told us they experienced less property crime year over year, but they're more concerned about property crime than they were last year.  

• 49% of survey respondents say they are highly concerned about property crime, up from 47% the previous year (US 54%).
• The percentage of Nebraskans who experienced property crime in the 8 months prior to our survey decreased from 29% to 23% year over year (US 27%).
• 48% of Nebraskans say they worry about package theft, up from 45% the year before (US 52%). 
• 30% of participants reported experiencing package theft in the last 8 months, down from 39% the year prior (US 37%). 
• Only residents of Vermont were less likely to experience package theft than Nebraskans. 
• 36% of respondents told us they increased their security measures in the 8 months prior to the survey, down from 40% (US 37%).
• Nebraska residents prefer to protect their property with security cameras (48%), guard dogs (39%), and firearms (28%).

• 75% of Nebraskans expressed high levels of concern about strong winds. That's the highest percentage in the nation.
• Nebraskans worry about extreme temperatures (61%), flooding (37%) and drought (34%) more than the average American.
• Only 7% of Nebraska residents say they've evacuated due to a natural disaster in the 8 months prior to our survey (US 9%). 

For the first time, our State of Safety survey included questions about cyber crime experiences, concerns, and safety measures. Here's what Nebraskans had to say:

• Nebraska residents reported the lowest levels of concern about cyber crime nationwide (NE 53%, US 69%).
• 28% said they experienced a cyber crime in the 8 months prior to our survey, which is lower than the national average of 33%. 
• Residents of 8 other states reported lower levels of cyber crime experiences than Nebraskans.
• 32% of Nebraskans say they use no cyber protection, which is the highest percentage in the nation (US 21%).
• Nebraskans are the least likely to use antivirus software nationwide (NE 25%, US 34%).
• Nebraskans also report some of the lowest usage rates of identity protection services (6%) and VPNs (11%) in the nation. 

The percentage of Nebraskans who worry about violent crime on a daily basis has increased year over year, but it's still one of the lowest percentages nationwide. Meanwhile, Nebraskans's first-hand experiences with violent crime decreased year over year, and the state now boasts the second lowest percentage of residents who reported a violent crime on our survey. 

• 8% of Nebraskans reported having a personal experience with violent crime in the last 8 months, down from 10% the previous year (US 14%).
• Only South Dakotans were less likely to have experienced a violent crime than Nebraskans. 
• The percentage of Nebraskans who feel concerned about violent crime increased from 46% to 51% year over year (US 59%). 
• Residents in only 7 other states feel less concerned about violent crime, including those in the neighboring states of Kansas (49%), Iowa (46%), Wyoming (44%), and South Dakota (43%).
• 32% of survey participants report using some form of personal protection (US 35%).
• Nebraskans prefer to protect themselves with firearms (13%), pocket knives (13%), and pepper spray (11%). 

• 5% of Nebraskans reported having an experience with gun violence in the 8 months prior to our survey, down from 10% the previous two years (US 11%).
• Nebraskans tie with Rhode Islanders and Delawareans as those least likely to experience gun violence in the US. 
• 54% of those surveyed named gun violence a safety concern, up from 38% the year before (US 57%).
• Nebraska experienced 1 mass shooting in 2024, down from 2 the year before.

For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.

• 25 cities met the criteria for ranking this year.
• Seward is this year's safest city in Nebraska.
• Seward, Plattsmouth, Beatrice, and Norfolk reported zero murders and robberies.
• Beatrice saw a 66% decrease in violent crime year over year. 
• Violent crime rates declined year over year in the top 4 cities.
• Property crime rates in Plattsmouth and Beatrice declined 2 years in a row. 

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