Douglas County Crime & Safety

Douglas County, Nebraska

Safety Score

5/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

3523.8

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

482.8

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

3041.0

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

5/100

Higher = safer

State avg 74/100

State Safety Rank

#93

of 93 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Douglas County, Nebraska

Urban challenges in Douglas County

As Nebraska's most populous area, Douglas County has a crime rate of 3,523.8 per 100,000, which exceeds the national average of 2,385.5. This results in a safety score of 94.4 out of 100. Residents experience higher levels of criminal activity compared to the more rural parts of the state.

Comparing Douglas to Nebraska averages

Douglas County’s safety score of 94.4 is lower than the Nebraska state average of 99.0. This gap is common for counties housing major metropolitan hubs like Omaha, which require eleven reporting agencies to manage public safety. Despite being the highest in the state, its crime levels are manageable compared to similar-sized cities nationwide.

High activity relative to neighbors

The total crime rate in Douglas County is over five times higher than the state average of 626.7 per 100K. Neighboring counties with smaller populations see significantly lower rates of both property and violent crimes. As the commercial and cultural center of the region, it naturally draws higher incident volumes.

Violent and property crime analysis

Douglas County records a violent crime rate of 482.8 and a property crime rate of 3,041.0 per 100,000. Both metrics are higher than national averages, which sit at 369.8 for violent and 2,015.7 for property crime. The high property crime rate suggests that theft and burglary are the most common safety issues for residents.

Prioritizing home and personal safety

In an urban environment like Douglas County, professional security systems and neighborhood watch programs are highly recommended. Always keep vehicles locked and valuables out of sight to prevent opportunistic property crimes. Vigilance and cooperation with local police are key to improving community safety.

SimpliSafe Home Security

Professional 24/7 monitoring for Douglas County. No long-term contracts.

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for Douglas County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Douglas County, NE?

Douglas County has a total crime rate of 3523.8 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (482.8 per 100K) and property crimes (3041.0 per 100K).

Is Douglas County, NE safe?

Douglas County has a safety score of 5/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #93 out of 93 counties in Nebraska for safety (1 = safest).

How does Douglas County crime compare to the Nebraska average?

What types of crime are most common in Douglas County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Douglas County?

Crime data for Douglas 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 Douglas County?

Douglas County has a safety score of 5/100, 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.