As the capital and higher education center of the state, Lincoln is a livable, small city with a diverse economy. The largest employers include state government, the University of Nebraska, Goodyear, and smaller businesses in printing, insurance, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The university dominates the landscape and the economy, adding 22,000 students and a healthy set of college-town amenities. It is a major sports draw for the entire state and a larger region of the Midwest, particularly during football season. There are two other small private colleges.

The downtown is clean but fairly ordinary. According to some, the area has more parks per capita than any other metropolitan area, but otherwise recreational opportunities are relatively scarce. Crime rates are a bit high for the region and type of place. The best residential areas are southwest, but some are moving 25 miles north up U.S. 77 towards Wahoo, a small Scandinavian farming community offering access to Lincoln and Omaha to the east.

The western edge of the city is in a flat valley. The surrounding area is level to gently rolling open prairie, with deep, rich, fertile soil. Areas north of downtown become somewhat hillier and more wooded. The climate is continental with a mix of influences from lower altitudes and the high Plains. Summer brings sunny days and moderate to low humidity. Warm spells can exceed 100 degrees.

Winter cold outbreaks can drive temperatures below zero for consecutive days. High winds add to discomfort in all seasons. Summer thunderstorms, particularly in late spring and early summer, can produce heavy rains and damaging hail, and often occur at night. Most snow is light and melts rapidly, but occasional heavy snows do occur. The first freeze is mid-October, last is mid-April.