Is Lincoln or Norfolk Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Norfolk is safer than Lincoln (Safety Score 61/100 vs 23/100), with a total crime rate of 1,346 per 100,000 versus 2,795 for Lincoln — 52% lower. Lincoln has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Norfolk has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Lincoln is 11.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lincoln — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Norfolk — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lincoln, NE
Norfolk, NE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lincoln | Norfolk | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,795.1 | 1,345.6 | +1,449.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.2 | 202.0 | +147.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 0.0 | +2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 63.6 | 57.2 | +6.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 40.6 | 11.4 | +29.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 241.0 | 133.4 | +107.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,445.8 | 1,143.6 | +1,302.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 262.3 | 68.6 | +193.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,863.7 | 998.7 | +865.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 319.8 | 76.2 | +243.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lincoln or Norfolk safer?
Norfolk is safer with a total crime rate of 1,346 per 100K vs 2,795 for Lincoln — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lincoln has a violent crime rate of 349.2 per 100K while Norfolk has 202.0. Norfolk has lower violent crime.
About Lincoln, NE
Lincoln, Nebraska, the state capital, is home to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, known for its Cornhuskers football. This city of over 290,000 residents lies in the southeastern part of the state. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 295,808, Lincoln has a total crime rate of 2,795.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Norfolk, NE
Norfolk, Nebraska, a city in Madison County, is known for its annual River Point Arts Festival. Situated along the Elkhorn River, it serves as a regional hub for agriculture and manufacturing in Northeast Nebraska. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 26,234, Norfolk has a total crime rate of 1,345.6 per 100,000 residents.