Is Claremore Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Claremore, Oklahoma, is a charming city located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains.

It is home to a rich history and a variety of museums, making it a great place for a weekend getaway or a day trip.

One of the things that makes Claremore unique is its large number of museums.

In fact, Claremore has more museums per capita than any other city in the United States! Some of the most popular museums in Claremore include the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum, and the Belvidere Mansion.

Claremore was named after an Osage Indian chief.

The city was founded in 1880 and is home to Rogers State University.

It’s known as the “Will Rogers Memorial Town” because of the many museums and attractions dedicated to the famous entertainer.

A section of the famed Route 66 also runs through Claremore, opening the door for more adventures on the road and to the attractions of the historic downtown.

Agritourism is popular here too.

Farms, horseback rides, and even fisheries are open to visitors to get a taste of rural Oklahoma farm life.

You’ll also be a short driving distance to Lake Oologah, where Oklahoma’s first oil well is displayed.

Tulsa is also less than 30 minutes away.

Warnings & Dangers in Claremore

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in Claremore based on crime data and the number of things to do. You'll meet some of the nicest people while you're here too.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Pelivan Transit (not a typo) is the transportation system for the rural towns in this region. I doubt it will be robust enough for your travel needs, but check out the website to see. Taxis and rideshares might be available sparingly, but it's a small town. Be patient. A rental car is really your best option.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Over the past decade, the city has only had three pickpockets or purse snatchings reported. That's a low risk. In fact, this is a town where people are more likely to tell you that you dropped your wallet than ruf off with it.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Oklahoma can get the worst of the weather, from tornadoes to winter storms. I've gone through some basic safety information throughout this article, but the Emergency Management departments for the city and county had full detailed plans.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

This is a low risk, with just four muggings reported over the past decade. Now, don't let these low risks make you negligent. Good safety practices keep the risk low.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

This is another low risk. It's a rural area and a small town. With no hard targets or large population centers nearby, you have nothing to worry about in Claremore. If something looks suspicious, report it.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Scams are largely focused on residents. The city and county law enforcement websites each have fraud and scam sections to educate you about trending scams and common tactics used by scammers.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is a safe town for women of all ages and even solo travelers. Keep your personal safety habits strong, but you'll make more friends than you'd expect in this welcoming community.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

You can read the most recent water quality report on the Rogers County Water District 2 website. Several violations were reported in 2022, but they were all addressed. Water in American cities is strongly regulated, so there's a low risk.

Safest Places to Visit in Claremore

Claremore has its own tourism website.

You can find that at VisitClaremore.com.

A travel guide is available, but you’ll have to give personal contact information, including a phone number and address.

A good place to start might be the Claremore History Museum, home to a collection of artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of Claremore’s history.

The museum is also home to a research library and archives.

Will Rogers was a famous American humorist, actor, and social commentator.

His birthplace ranch is now a museum that tells the story of his life.

The ranch is home to Rogers’ childhood home, a schoolhouse, a barn, and other buildings.

Visitors can also take a tour of the grounds and see Rogers’ personal belongings.

The beautiful Belvidere Mansion was built in 1896 and is now a museum.

Visitors can tour the mansion’s 22 rooms and see its original furnishings.

The mansion is also home to a collection of Native American artifacts.

The J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum is home to a collection of firearms, knives, and other weapons from around the world.

The museum also has exhibits on Native American history and the history of Claremore.

That one is not to be confused with the Oklahoma Military Museum on the campus of Rogers State University.

This was once a military academy that trained more than 10,000 cadets.

The last class was in 1971.

Downtown Claremore is a slice of Route 66 fame and is well-known as an antiquing area.

Over the years, new businesses have moved in, giving a nice mix of antique and modern amenities.

The Retro 66 Vintage Outlet is one of the most popular shopping spots in town for history buffs and antique lovers.

If you want to take a tour of a farm or get outside into Oklahoma’s saddle, you have several options here.

Farm tours range from dairy to ranches, with a fish farm, too!

Horse trail rides are available alongside the lake.

Claremore Lake also offers walking trails, fishing, and picnic areas.

The only thing you can’t do here is go swimming.

Places to Avoid in Claremore

Claremore is a city of only 20,000 people, so it’s a good thing there are no dangerous parts of town or neighborhoods too sketchy to drive through.

That said, stick to the main roads and highways.

As you are driving around, don’t be surprised if people wave at you.

That’s just part of the “Oklahoma Nice” mentality.

Avoid visiting Claremore without understanding the severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, and tornado risks.

You want to be prepared in the event a severe storm forms here.

If you look up the storms from 2016 that hit Tulsa to Claremore, you’ll see examples of the damage that can be done.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Claremore

So... How Safe Is Claremore Really?

Claremore’s crime rates are lower than average, and even the crimes that do happen are largely among people who know each other.

Violent crime rates are 40% lower than the state average and 37% lower than the national average.

Nearly 70% of all crimes happen in private homes, and a shocking 39% of crime victims were under the age of 19 in 2022.

Around 10% of violent crimes happen against strangers, which is lower than most cities I’ve researched in Oklahoma.

There hasn’t been a year with more than four robberies going back to 2015.

Over the past decade, just four highway robberies have happened.

Thefts were eight percent higher than the national average in 2022 – a 63% drop since 2020.

That seems pretty extreme of a drop to me, but 2020 was a pandemic year that also had out-of-the-ordinary crime in a lot of communities.

Nevertheless, 31% of all thefts in 2022 were shoplifting.

23% were related to car break-ins and accessory thefts.

(Catalytic converter thefts have been up nationwide for the past few years.)

Claremore is a safe enough place for a visitor, but you’ll still need common sense and standard safety practices.

How Does Claremore Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

International travelers must secure a visa or visa waiver to gain entry into the country. The U.S. State Department website provides detailed information on your eligibility for a visa waiver. You can also use the Visa Wizard module on their site to determine the required visa (student, work, tourist, etc.). Your passport should be valid and no more than six months from expiring.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar is accepted in the country. Credit cards can be widely used in USD denominations. I wouldn't wait to get to Claremore before exchanging currency, since your options are limited and could be more expensive. Your home bank offers the best rates and lowest fees.

Weather

You'll get four seasons here but always check the forecast ahead of time since the weather here can fluctuate often. Bug spray is needed from spring through fall. Pack casual, comfortable clothing, and be aware that this can be a windy area.

Airports

Tulsa International Airport is just 30 minutes away. That's the closest and largest airport unless you want to tack on another two hours to get to Oklahoma City. Neither airport offers foreign currency exchange.

Travel Insurance

Any destination with unpredictable weather that could disrupt travel plans warrants travel insurance. Ensure you also have health coverage at your destination. Review rental car insurance provisions also to you know you're protected if there's a crash or roadside assistance needed.

Claremore Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Oklahoma - Safety by City