Crime Statistics

Omaha Police Department (OPD) press briefings and annual reports, which provide high‑level figures (e.g., number of homicides or overall percentage changes). The 2025 news release about the 2024 year shows that violent crime was down 21 % compared with 2023 and that there were 19 homicides, the lowest number since 1990.

Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) survey data reported by news outlets such as WOWT. The MCCA’s mid‑2024 survey compared January–June 2023 with the same period in 2024, noting that rape and robbery reports in Omaha were down roughly 26 % and 31 %, respectively, while aggravated assault reports fell 31 %.

Burglaries fell 8 % and auto‑theft reports declined 13 %, although theft reports increased 5 %.

AP News reporting provides historical homicide counts: homicides spiked to 37 in 2020 but fell to 32 in 2021 and were even lower (around 28) in 2022. The story also recalls that Omaha recorded 22 homicides in 2018 and 23 homicides in 2019.

HomeSnacks’ 2023 analysis counted 19,481 crimes, including 2,713 violent crimes (561 per 100,000 people) and 16,768 property crimes (3,468 per 100,000). This total crime rate is ~4,029 per 100,000, about 73 % higher than the national average.

NeighborhoodScout’s 2023 statistics tell a similar story: roughly 2,196 violent crimes (4.54 per 1,000 residents) and 18,190 property crimes (37.63 per 1,000), giving residents a 1 in 24 chance of being a crime victim.

While these sources differ slightly, they collectively show that violent crime has been falling in Omaha since its pandemic‑era spike and that property crime, particularly theft and auto theft, remains elevated compared with the national average.

Five‑year violent‑crime and homicide trend
2018 OPD recorded 22 homicides (one of the lowest counts in more than a decade)
2019 Homicides edged up to 23.
2020 Homicides spiked to 37, reflecting national increases during the pandemic.
2021 Homicides declined to 32
2022 Unofficial counts (e.g., Omaha Scanner/NOSS Media) indicate around 28 homicides.
2023 Aggregated FBI/NIBRS data show about 2,713 violent crimes (561 per 100,000) and 19,481 total crimes.
2024 (full year) OPD reported 19 homicides, the lowest number since 1990. Violent crime overall dropped 21 % and total crime fell 17 %.

What about property crime?

The FBI reported 1,954.4 property crimes per 100,000 inhabitants and 380.7 violent crimes per 100,000 in the United States in 2022. Comparing Omaha’s 2023 rates from HomeSnacks/AreaVibes shows why property crime remains a concern:

Property crime rate: Omaha’s 2023 rate (~3,468 per 100,000) is about 77 % higher than the U.S. average of 1,954 per 100,000. The city logged roughly 16,768 property crimes, including 3,357 motor‑vehicle thefts (694 per 100,000). Residents had roughly a 1 in 28 chance of becoming a property‑crime victim.

Violent crime rate: Omaha’s 2023 violent‑crime rate of about 561 per 100,000 is 47 % higher than the 2022 national violent‑crime rate of 380.7 per 100,000. However, the downward trend in 2024 suggests the gap may be closing.

Interpretation and context

Pandemic spike and recovery. Omaha, like many U.S. cities, saw a surge in violent crime in 2020, with 37 homicides. State reports attribute the spike to pandemic‑related disruptions and note that violent crime statewide dropped 50 % the following year. Omaha’s homicides fell to 32 in 2021 and roughly 28 in 2022.

Record low in 2024. OPD data show that violent crime fell 21 % in 2024 and homicides dropped to 19—the lowest count since 1990. The department credits community partnerships (e.g., the Empowerment Network and Omaha 360) and targeted policing. For the second straight year, every homicide resulted in an arrest or the suspect’s death.

Property crime remains high. Aggregated FBI data show that Omaha’s property‑crime rate is roughly 77 % above the national average. Vehicle theft is particularly problematic, with more than 3,300 cars stolen in 2023. First‑quarter 2024 data show burglaries and auto‑theft reports decreasing but thefts increasing.

Juvenile violence and guns. Police chief Todd Schmaderer has highlighted rising juvenile involvement in violent crime, noting that 10 of 2021’s homicide victims were teenagers. The MCCA survey shows rape and robbery down in early 2024, but homicides up slightly; the chief has urged legislative changes to extend rehabilitation services for offenders beyond age 19.

Caveats. Because Omaha only recently adopted NIBRS reporting and the OPD updates its data continuously, figures may change. Aggregated websites like HomeSnacks, NeighborhoodScout and AreaVibes use FBI data but may estimate missing values. For the most current numbers, residents should consult OPD’s quarterly statistical releases.

Takeaways for newcomers

Omaha is not immune to crime, but the overall picture is improving. After a pandemic‑era spike, violent crime has declined for three consecutive years, reaching a decades‑long low in 2024.

Property crime—especially theft and car theft—remains higher than national norms, so newcomers should take standard precautions: lock doors and vehicles, use anti‑theft devices and take advantage of community policing resources. Most importantly, Omaha’s police chief emphasises that strong community partnerships and proactive policing are driving the city’s downward crime trend.