This landlocked state hasn’t always enjoyed the reputation of the mountains and cabins it boasts today.
Around a century ago, this region was more commonly known for being the Dust Bowl of the US.
Dust was attacking residents so forcefully that it was often fatal.
Many of the homes out on the range were thin-walled shacks where the wind would blow the infamous dust right through the cracks.
It was a scary time living in Oklahoma.
Luckily, technology and know-how have improved, so dust isn’t the threat it once was.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t the only threat citizens had to deal with.
Follow along with us as we discuss the most dangerous cities in Oklahoma.
Contents
10 Most Dangerous Cities in Oklahoma
1. Oklahoma City
You know the founders of Oklahoma loved the state so much that they had to name a city after it.
It wasn’t just any city, though.
Today, Oklahoma City has about 650,000 residents and is the most populated in the state.
A city with that many people can most definitely attract criminal activity.
In this case, the crime rate is 93% higher than in other cities of comparable size.
2. Del City
It’s probably fitting that the next most dangerous city is just outside of Oklahoma City.
While Del City has a much smaller population, 22,000, there are almost 100 more property crimes a year here.
As far as violent crimes go, they hit just under 800 a year per 100,000 people.
Those statistics seem in contrast with the fact that Del City has Tinker Air Force Base, the largest employer in Oklahoma.
3. Muskogee
About an hour outside Oklahoma City lies a city that was made popular by a country song in the 60s.
That might have something to do with it being the home to the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
Those feel-good vibes do not extend to criminals.
Out of 100,000 people, 786 violent acts are committed, and almost 5,000 property crimes.
4. Ponca City
This mid-sized city in the northern half of Oklahoma has seen progress.
While it is on the more dangerous side, violent crime numbers have dropped a bit in recent years.
That’s a good sign, generally speaking.
Property crimes are still ranked as the 7th worst in the entire state.
5. Paul’s Valley
Paul’s Valley is slowly dwindling.
There are around 5,900 people who call this place home.
Is it because the crime rate is 49 for every 1,000 residents?
The chance of being a victim of a crime 1 in 21 surely does not help.
6. Shawnee
Located in the middle of Oklahoma is the historic Shawnee.
It seems like a quaint town with a story to tell.
Sadly, a portion of the story is about how dangerous it can be to call Shawnee home.
The crime rate overall is 113% above the national average.
7. Tulsa
Tulsa is around 30 minutes outside of Oklahoma City.
While the downtown is relatively traffic-free, there’s a lot to be said for the rest of the town.
Many of the neighborhoods are dilapidated or just in poor condition, overall.
The rise in crime is not surprising given these issues.
As far as violent crimes go, 1,065 happens for every 100,000 people.
Property crime is also out of this world.
There are 5,430 incidents per 100,000 people.
8. Midwest City
Neighbors to Del City, Midwest City has a population of just under 60,000.
In the last decade, there were so many murders and other violent crimes in one year that regional officials were shocked.
Typically, for every 100,000 residents, there are 3,000 crimes in a year.
9. Ardmore
Just south of popular Turner Falls, Ardmore has a lot going on for the citizens.
Unfortunately, some of that is crime related.
There are 47 crimes per 1,000 people.
Residents of Ardmore have a 1 in 14 chance of being a victim of a crime.
10. Ada
Ada has been voted as one of the best places to settle in Oklahoma.
It’s a young town with plenty of outdoor activities.
With one of the highest murder rates in the state, Ada tops the charts when it comes to violent crimes.
With violent and property crimes combined, that averages out to 3,100 crimes per every 100,000 residents.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Oklahoma
1. Avoid Carrying Cash
A popular scam in college towns, such as Oklahoma City, is for a seemingly young college student to stop people on the street.
They will use this as an opportunity to express a detailed story about how they need to get home.
Part of the story is that home is very far away from them.
It also just so happens they have no money.
The goal is to get as much cash as you can spare.
In truth, they are not on their way home.
They are usually not even college students.
These are people who try to pick out tourists for money.
Stop them before they start by saying you don’t have any cash.
2. Keep Vehicles Locked
This is especially true at outdoor attractions, such as the mountains.
Scammers will camp out looking for tourists to be caught up in the moment and leave their doors unlocked.
When they see you walk out toward a trail, they try door handles.
Or if you’re staying at a cabin overnight, they wait until it’s dark out.
Either way, these criminals are there to load up bags of whatever is inside your vehicle.
Make sure everything is locked.
If there’s a car alarm, even better.
3. Be Wary on the Road
Speaking of unlocked doors, there are other ways thieves can target prey.
If you notice a car following closely behind you for longer than seems rational, there may be a reason.
These types of crimes happen when the driver following you is waiting for you to pull over and get gas.
That’s a common time for cars to be left unlocked.
Usually, this will result in the thief testing car doors in an effort to steal anything in sight.
On rare occasions, it has actually led to driving off with the car.
Not only do you want to make sure everything is locked up at all times, but you also keep an eye on it when inside the station.
4. Keep Valuables at Home
When on vacation, the last thing you want to think about is being stolen from.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of people on the lookout for shiny or expensive things.
So, it’s probably the wisest to leave big or expensive accessories at home.
If you do wear a necklace or watch with a special meaning, try to keep it covered as best you can.
You won’t be a target if no one knows what you have.
Better safe than sorry.
Make sure there is someone back home who knows where you’re at.
This is just as important if it’s just you or if the whole family is along for the ride.
Having someone with your location means if anything were to happen to you, someone in the world would be able to do something about it.
If you get in an uncomfortable position, make sure that person is aware you’re on the phone with a buddy right now.
Even if you just dial the number and pretend they answered.
Oklahoma Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Oklahoma Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the safest city in Oklahoma?
Toward the southwestern corner of the state is a city known to be the safest in all of Oklahoma.
That city is Elgin.
It’s actually taken the title for several years in a row.
There are just over 3,300 pretty peaceful people.
Just behind Elgin are Hinton and Hennessey.
How safe is Oklahoma?
Generally speaking, much of Oklahoma is considered safe.
Most of the towns are rural and small.
In this scenario, the small towns keep things safe for residents and visitors.
However, when viewing the state as a whole, there were only five states that ranked more dangerous than Oklahoma.
The reason is clearly the big cities.
Populations that are growing seem to be attracting more serious crimes, like murder.
Oklahoma has the 16th highest murder rate in the nation.
What are the top crimes being committed in Oklahoma?
In one year, almost 130,000 crimes were reported across the state.
The national average is 24% lower than that.
Crimes most likely to be committed in Oklahoma are property related.
In particular, larceny reigns above the other types of crimes in the state.
Other crimes with high frequency in Oklahoma are burglary, violent crimes, and stolen vehicles.
Awareness of safety issues is a must, and lists like these help highlight areas that require community attention and resources to improve safety.
Safety conditions can vary within cities, so it’s essential to stay informed about specific neighborhoods and exercise caution as needed.
It’s important to remember that wile some areas face safety challenges, Oklahoma has many vibrant and safe communities.
Addressing safety concerns is a collective effort, and it’s heartening to see local initiatives and organizations working to improve conditions in these cities.
Lists like these can spark competitive discussions and encourage collaborative efforts to make these cities safer for everyone.