Buffalo County Crime & Safety

Buffalo County, Nebraska

Safety Score

30/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1680.5

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

293.4

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1387.1

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

30/100

Higher = safer

State avg 74/100

State Safety Rank

#84

of 93 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Buffalo County, Nebraska

Solid Safety Scores in Buffalo County

Buffalo County reports a total crime rate of 1680.5 per 100K, which is lower than the national average of 2,385.5. Despite being more active than some rural neighbors, it maintains a strong safety score of 97.3.

Contextualizing Safety in a Regional Hub

The county sits below the state average safety score of 99.0, reflecting its role as a regional hub with higher population density. Its crime rate of 1680.5 is significantly higher than the Nebraska average of 626.7 per 100K.

Buffalo Compared to Nearby Counties

Buffalo County sees more activity than nearby Butler County, which reports a crime rate of only 119.4 per 100K. This difference often stems from the urban-rural divide and the volume of commercial traffic along the Interstate 80 corridor.

Property Crime Drives Local Statistics

Property crime drives most local statistics at 1387.1 per 100K, while violent crime accounts for 293.4 per 100K. Both categories remain below national averages, indicating that residents face lower risks than the typical American.

Vigilance Against Property Theft

Since property crime is the primary concern here, smart locks and motion-sensing cameras are effective tools for homeowners. Staying vigilant about vehicle security helps keep these local numbers on a downward trend.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Buffalo County, NE?

Buffalo County has a total crime rate of 1680.5 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (293.4 per 100K) and property crimes (1387.1 per 100K).

Is Buffalo County, NE safe?

Buffalo County has a safety score of 30/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #84 out of 93 counties in Nebraska for safety (1 = safest).

How does Buffalo County crime compare to the Nebraska average?

What types of crime are most common in Buffalo County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Buffalo County?

Crime data for Buffalo County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Buffalo County?

Buffalo County has a safety score of 30/100, which is below the Nebraska average of 74/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.