About Us

With our thriving economy, ample amenities, affordability, and humble spirit, we recently ranked as the happiest city in America.

Lincoln is the capital of and second largest city in Nebraska. Located midway between Chicago and Denver, our city is home to over 300,000 residents and encompasses roughly 104 square miles. We're the heart of Nebraska's governmental and educational institutions, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln – the state's largest with 24,000 students.

Before the city's founding in 1869, American Indian tribes inhabited the area for thousands of years, living and hunting along Salt Creek. The first westward settlers were similarly drawn to the area due to the abundance of salt.

What does Lincoln's economy look like?

With our diverse economy, smart, strategic growth, and collaborative ethos, we recently ranked as one of the best run cities in America.

Lincoln has enjoyed a 1% - 1.5% average population growth rate for the last 50 years. As the nexus of state government and higher education, Lincoln has a stable economic climate and benefits from the jobs, innovation, and continuity these sectors deliver.

Among the largest employers are the State of Nebraska, Lincoln Public Schools, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Healthcare is another major industry. The city's three largest hospitals together employ thousands of residents, while delivering a vital service that helps ensure our safety and quality of life.

We also have major manufacturers. They include Kawasaki, Burlington Northern Railroad and Duncan Aviation, who provide jobs for over 5,000 community members. In addition, we have a burgeoning startup scene complementing more established companies.

Another measure of our economic strength is the growing number of people who choose to call Lincoln home. As proof, the City of Lincoln issued more residential building permits over the past five-year period than in any other five-year period in Lincoln's recorded history.

What do Lincoln's demographics look like?

With our American Indian roots, immigrant heritage, vibrant resettlement community, and world-class university, we are an increasingly diverse city.

Lincoln is growing – and growing more diverse. Our city is projected to add roughly 105,000 residents between now and 2050. As we grow, our community's racial and ethnic diversity will grow, too. Today, roughly 21% of Lancaster County's population are persons of color, a share forecast to grow to one-third by 2050.

Lincoln is a proud refugee resettlement community. Refugees began resettling here in the 1980s, and today 30,000 immigrants and refugees from roughly 150 countries call Lincoln home. We recently ranked as the 12th largest resettlement site per capita in the country.

We're also a young and educated city. While the national median age is 39, Lincoln's median age is only 34. Meanwhile, over 40% of adults in Lincoln have a bachelor's degree compared with about 38% nationwide.

What do residents like about Lincoln?

With exceptional public safety, infrastructure, and public schools, we recently ranked as one of the best state capitals to live in.

We are a safe and healthy community. Thanks to our Lincoln Police Department and strong community partnerships, Part 1 crime, which includes violent crime, reached a 25-year low in 2025. Our Lincoln Fire and Rescue Department saves the lives of non-traumatic cardiac arrest patients at a rate more than double the national average.

Our residents help grow the great life for everyone in our city. In 2025, Lincoln voters approved continuation of the Lincoln on the Move initiative, helping the City deliver hundreds of lane miles of new and resurfaced streets. In addition, our community members help care for our 187-mile network of public trails – trails that 95% of Lincoln residents live within a mile of.

We're an affordable city. Lincoln's cost of living is roughly 8% lower than the national average, driven by lower housing and utility expenses. Plus, our average commute time is 19.5 minutes, over 7 minutes less than the national average.

What sets Lincoln apart?

With a single school district and no competing municipalities, we provide high-quality opportunities to every resident.

Unlike many communities, we have a joint City and County planning department and strong annexation capacity, which leads to coordinated, strategic growth and the ability to annex new development into our city.

We are collaborative and giving. Lincoln's signature charity event, Give to Lincoln Day, recently raised $9.5 million and has raised more than $75 million since its inception, distributing vital funding to over 500 local non-profits. We employ strong public-private partnerships to fuel Lincoln's growth – exemplified by Pinnacle Bank Arena, the Sandhills Global Youth Complex, and the Telegraph District.

We are responsible and forward-thinking. We are the first city in Nebraska to pass a climate action plan. In 2020, we were the number one city in the nation for the U.S. Census self-response rate. Over 190 local artists submitted designs for our recent city flag redesign contest, showcasing our community's strong sense of civic pride.

We are equitable and inclusive. We have set a goal to create 5,000 new or rehabilitated affordable housing units by 2030. We have already supported over 3,200 affordable units, putting us at 64% of our goal. Our Lincoln-Lancaster County Human Resources Department has several initiatives aimed at making our City team more reflective of the community it serves.

What tourist attractions does Lincoln have?

With our historic state capital, beloved university campuses, and exhilarating entertainment, we are rich in landmarks, traditions, and celebrations that attract visitors from around the country and around the globe.

Our college football and volleyball teams are backed by the most loyal fans in the country. Nebraska football has the longest home sellout streak in the nation, dating back to 1962. And in 2023, 92,000 fans packed Memorial Stadium to watch our Husker volleyball team, setting a new world record for the largest crowd to ever attend a women's sporting event.

Lincoln also has a thriving performing arts scene. Regional and national artists flock to venues like the Zoo Bar, Duffy's, Bourbon Theatre, Lied Center, and Pinnacle Bank Arena. We have a strong stage presence thanks to Pinewood Bowl, which hosts everything from Broadway musicals to Disney adaptations.

We also have niche attractions. What began in 1869 as a brewery storage tunnel, Robber's Cave later hid bandits and now draws visitors as our oldest tourist site. Located on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's East Campus, the International Quilt Museum is home to the world's largest publicly held quilt collection. For motorheads, the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed was recently voted as the Best Attraction for Car Lovers by USA Today.

Site Disclaimer

General

The City of Lincoln web site is offered to you, the user ("User"), conditioned on acceptance of the terms, conditions, and notices contained herein, without modification. User access and use of this site constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions. Violations of the terms and conditions of this agreement may result in the “User” being removed or permanently banned from using this system.

The website is a City of Lincoln system, provided as a public service. Government personnel and the general public may use this system to review and retrieve publicly available government information. User agrees to use this web site as permitted by applicable local, state, and federal laws. User agrees, therefore, not to: 1) knowingly and without authorization, alter, damage, or destroy the City of Lincoln's or another user's computer system, network, software, program, documentation or data contained therein; 2) use this service to conduct or attempt to conduct any business or activity or solicit the performance of any activity that is prohibited by law. In addition, taking action which results in blocking access to this website by other users will be deemed an unauthorized use. 

Anyone using this system expressly consents to administrative monitoring at all times. You (User) are further advised that system administrators may provide evidence of possible criminal activity identified during such monitoring to appropriate law enforcement officials. If you (User) do not wish to consent to monitoring, exit this system now.

Disclaimer of Liability and Reliability

In preparation of these pages, every effort has been made to offer the most current, correct, and clearly expressed information possible. Nevertheless, inadvertent errors in information may occur. In particular but without limiting anything here, the City of Lincoln disclaims any responsibility for typographical errors and accuracy of the information that may be contained on the City of Lincoln web pages. The information and data included on the City of Lincoln servers have been compiled by the City of Lincoln staff from a variety of sources, and are subject to change without notice to the User. The City of Lincoln makes no warranties or representations whatsoever regarding the quality, content, completeness, suitability, adequacy, sequence, accuracy, or timeliness of such information and data.

In any situation where the official printed publications of the City of Lincoln differ from the text contained in this system, the official printed documents take precedence. The services, information, and data made available at the City of Lincoln website are provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. The City of Lincoln makes no representations or warranties regarding the condition or functionality of this web site, its suitability for use, or that this web service will be uninterrupted or error-free.

Links to Third Parties' Websites

There are links and pointers to third party Internet websites contained in the City of Lincoln website. These sites linked from the City of Lincoln website are not under the control of the City of Lincoln. The City of Lincoln does not assume any responsibility or liability for any information, communications or materials available at such linked sites, or at any link contained in a linked site. The City of Lincoln does not intend these third party links to be referrals or endorsements of the linked entities by the City, and are provided for convenience only. Each individual site has its own set of policies about what information is appropriate for public access. User assumes sole responsibility for use of third party links and pointers.

Disclaimer of Damages

By using the City of Lincoln web pages, the User assumes all risks associated with the use of this site, including any risk to User's computer, software or data being damaged by any virus, software, or any other file which might be transmitted or activated via the City of Lincoln web page or User's access to it. The City of Lincoln shall not in any event be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, special, incidental, or consequential damages, including, without limitation, lost revenues, or lost profits, arising out of or in any way connected with the use or misuse of the information or lack of information on the City of Lincoln web site or with the delay or inability to use this web site, or from any information, documents, services, software, or other material obtained through this web site, or otherwise arising out of the use of this web site, whether based on contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise, even if the City of Lincoln and/or any of its employees/affiliates has been advised of the possibility of damages. The City of Lincoln shall not be liable for any loss or injury caused in whole, or in part, by its actions, omissions, or contingencies beyond its control, including in procuring, compiling, or delivering the information, or arising out of any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the information regardless of how caused, or arising out of any user's decision, or action taken or not taken in reliance upon information furnished.

Disclaimer of Association With User

User acknowledges that no joint venture, partnership, employment or agency relationship exists between the User and the City of Lincoln as a result of this Agreement or use of this web site. User agrees not to hold himself or herself out as a representative, agent, or employee of the City of Lincoln shall not be liable for any representation, act or omission of the User.

Use of Bulletin Board, or any Other Communication or Interactive Forums

To the extent that this web site contains or may in the future contain bulletin boards, discussion webs, chat rooms, or other message, interactive or communication facilities involving the city of Lincoln and other users ("Forums"), the User agrees to use such forums only to send and receive messages and material that are proper and related to the particular forum. By way of example, and not as a limitation, the User agrees that when using a Forum, the User shall not violate the law by:

• Defaming, abusing, harassing, stalking, threatening or otherwise violating the legal rights (such as rights of privacy and publicity) of others.
• Publishing, posting, distributing, or disseminating any defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent or unlawful material or information.
• Uploading or downloading files that contain software or other material protected by intellectual property laws (or by rights of privacy or publicity) unless the User owns or controls the rights thereto or has received all necessary consents.
• Deleting any author attributions, legal notices or proprietary designations or labels in any file that is uploaded.
• Falsifying the origin or source of any material contained in a file that is uploaded.
• Knowingly introducing viruses, corrupted files or any other similar software or programs that may damage, alter or destroy this website or the operation of another's computer system, network, software, program, documentation or data contained therein.
• Knowingly accessing or attempting to access or use The City of Lincoln's computer system, computer network, or any part thereof, including this website, for the purpose of devising or executing any scheme or artifice to defraud; obtaining money property or services by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises; or committing theft, including but not limited to theft of proprietary information.

User agrees to (as available) send and receive electronic mail, engage in conferences and chats, download and upload files, and otherwise use this web site only as permitted by these terms and conditions, any additional policies or procedures published in this web site from time to time by the City of Lincoln, and applicable law.

The City of Lincoln reserves the right to remove any content of this website received from users for violations of the City of Lincoln forum use policies and other applicable regulations and law, including violations of others' constitutional rights. The City of Lincoln reserves the right to edit any notices or postings for length if and when such length interferes with other users' access to and use of this forum.

The User acknowledges that chats, conferences, bulletin boards, discussion webs and any other such interactive or communications' forums hosted by this web site are public and not private communications. Further, the User acknowledges that chats, posting conferences, discussion webs and other communications by other Users are not endorsed by the City of Lincoln, and such communications shall not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by the City of Lincoln.

Indemnity

As a condition of use of the City of Lincoln web site, the User agrees to indemnify the City of Lincoln, its Commissioners, officers, employees and agents against any and all liability, expenses (including attorney's fees) and damages arising out of claims resulting from User's use of this web site, including without limitation any claims alleging facts that if true would constitute a breach by User of these terms and conditions.

Severability

If any part of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable pursuant to applicable law including, but not limited to, the warranty disclaimers and liability limitation set forth above, then the invalid or unenforceable provision will be deemed superseded by a valid, enforceable provision that most closely matches the intent of the original provision and the remainder of the Agreement shall continue in effect.

Closing of Agreement

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the User and the City of Lincoln with respect to this web site and it supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether electronic, oral or written, between the User and the City of Lincoln with respect to this web site. This Agreement shall be deemed to include all other notices, policies, disclaimers and other terms contained in this web site; provided, however, that in the event of a conflict between such other terms and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control. A printed version of this Agreement and of any notice given in electronic form will be admissible in judicial or administrative proceedings based upon or relating to this Agreement to the same extent and subject to the same conditions as other business documents and records originally generated and maintained in printed form.

Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved.

Privacy/Security Policy

General

We collect NO personal information like names or addresses when you visit our website. If you choose to provide that information to us it is only used to fulfill your request for information.

We do collect some technical information when you visit to make your visit seamless. The section below explains how we handle and collect technical information when you visit our website.

Information Collected and Stored Automatically

When you browse, read pages or download information on lincoln.ne.gov, we automatically gather and store certain technical information about your visit. This information never identifies who you are. The information we collect and store about your visit is listed below:

• The Internet domain (for example, "xcompany.com" if you use a private Internet access account, or "yourschool.edu" if you connect from a university's domain) and IP address (an IP address is a number that is automatically assigned to your computer whenever you are surfing the Web) from which you access our website;
• The type of browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Edge) and operating system (Windows, OSX, iOS, Android) used to access our site;
• The date and time you access our site;
• The pages you visit; and
• If you linked to the lincoln.ne.gov website from another website, the address of that website.

This information is only used to help us make the site more useful for you. With this data we learn about the number of visitors to our site and the types of technology our visitors use. We never track or record information about individuals and their visits.

Cookies

When you visit some websites, their web servers generate pieces of information known as cookies. Some cookies collect personal information to recognize your computer in the future. The lincoln.ne.gov website uses cookies to control the operation of this web site. In the event that a cookie is used, its use will be transient in nature and will apply only to the on-line session in progress. The lincoln.ne.gov website does not use cookies on this site to collect and store information about users.

Per-session cookies serve technical purposes like providing seamless navigation through lincoln.ne.gov. These cookies do not permanently record data and they are not stored on your computer's hard drive. The lincoln.ne.gov website cookies are stored in memory and are only available during an active browser session. Again, once you close your browser, the cookie disappears.

City of Lincoln Mobile App

The City of Lincoln is using SeeClickFix, an online and mobile service request system developed by SeeClickFix and CivicPlus, to power its UPLNK mobile app and reporting forms. SeeClickFix is an application that allows Lincoln residents to report non-emergency related issues. SeeClickFix can be used via the Web on a desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, or tablet. SeeClickFix is a public application. The description entered will be visible to the public. Your display name will also be visible unless you choose to submit as Anonymous. Your email address will never be displayed publicly.

If You Send Us Personal Information

If you choose to provide us with personal information - like filling out a Contact Us form with personal information and submitting it to us through the website - we use that information to respond to your message and to help us get you the information you have requested. We only share the information you give us with another government agency if your inquiry relates to that agency, or as otherwise required by law. We never create individual profiles or give it to any private organizations. The lincoln.ne.gov website never collects information for commercial marketing.

Site Security

• For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, this government computer system employs commercial software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage.
• Except for authorized law enforcement investigations, no other attempts are made to identify individual users or their usage habits. Raw data logs are used for no other purposes and are scheduled for regular destruction.
• Unauthorized attempts to upload information or change information on this service are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act.