Is Edmond Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Edmond, Oklahoma, is a suburb of Oklahoma City (OKC) and home to the University of Central Oklahoma.

At the northern fringe of the OKC Metro area, Edmond is experiencing population growth.

Between 2010 and 2020, the population increased by 16%.

Between the 2020 census and 2022, there was another 2% increase.

It began as a bustling railroad town, its inception tied closely to the Santa Fe Railway’s arrival in the late 1800s.

Once a humble watering stop, it bloomed into a vibrant community, eventually incorporated in 1889.

What sets Edmond apart from many other growing suburbs is that it has managed to keep up with the growth, adding culture and accommodations to match the demand without losing its down-home charm or neighborhood appeal.

The famed Route 66 also goes right through the heart of town.

With a vibrant downtown and outdoor amenities in the city and the surrounding land, plus the proximity to OKC, Edmond is a great choice for travelers.

Warnings & Dangers in Edmond

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Edmond has a low overall risk and plenty of rewards if you prefer the more suburban feel on your trip.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Check the CityLink website for public transportation options in Edmond. You can easily get taxis or rideshares, and rental cars are readily available at the airport or local companies throughout the metro area. Feel free to enjoy a low-risk here, assuming you use proper safety precautions.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

About eight pickpockets or purse snatchings happen each year in Edmond but forget about leaving your valuables in the car. Nearly half of all thefts are related to car break-ins. Limit what you carry, lock car doors, and keep valuables tucked away in the hotel or leave them at home. That way, you can enjoy a low risk.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

This is a medium risk beyond the "Tornado Alley" moniker for Oklahoma. Spring brings the greatest severe weather threat, with tornadoes possible any time of the year. There's a secondary severe weather season in November. Winters aren't too bad here, but the region is more likely to get a crippling ice storm than a wallop from a snowstorm. Wildfires are another risk. All risks come with advance warning, but you have to pay attention.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

The robbery rate in Edmond is 82% lower than the national average, so it's a very low risk. Only one of the 14 in 2022 was a highway robbery. The only caution I would offer is that you can't let a low-risk cause you to be careless or let your guard down.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Oklahoma City has already been a domestic terrorism target with the bombing of the Murrah building in 1995. That's going to put the whole area at medium risk, but also at one of the most security-focused spots in the country. Edmond itself would not be a potential target, but domestic terrorism and mass shootings can happen anywhere. It's important to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity immediately.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Most scams here are targeted at residents, but you should review the police department's scams and fraud information online before you visit to see the latest scams. Knowing the tactics of scammers (pressure, threat, too good to be true, etc.) will help keep the risk low.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is a great place to visit in OKC for women of all ages and for all purposes of travel. It's a place a solo traveler can feel safe, and parents with small children will love the amenities.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2022 Water Quality Report shows no violations and full compliance. You can feel safe using tap water for drinking and bathing. If there's any issue with the water, the city will issue an alert.

Safest Places to Visit in Edmond

It’s always a good sign when a suburb of a bigger city has its own tourism website.

It means that there are interesting things to do, and a community has the funds to promote tourism.

VisitEdmondOK.com is the site for the city, and you can pair that with VisitOKC.com to get a larger look at the region.

A free tourism guide is available on both websites without having to give personal information – always a plus in my book so I don’t get spam emails.

Downtown Edmond is expanding all the time with new businesses, shops, restaurants, and amenities.

It was designed to have wide, shaded sidewalks to make even the summer heat a little more tolerable.

You can check the Edmond Downtown Business Association for the newest businesses.

More than 13 miles of Route 66 go through Edmond, making the Mother Road easy to access, and there are plenty of stops along the way.

That includes a few photo ops with a giant blue hippo, a round barn, and an 18-foot-tall Sioux Chief sculpture.

Look on the TravelOK.com website for all the sights along the Mother Road in Oklahoma.

You can also opt to walk or bike the Route 66 Trail, which spans three miles in Edmond.

The Edmond History Museum always makes a great place to start to learn about how a lonely railroad stop blossomed into this suburban paradise.

Edmond is a community that loves art, and that’s clear by the dozens of sculptures around town.

You can take several iterations of an art tour, including a walking, biking, and driving tour.

Outdoor lovers should head to Spring Creek Park on the shore of Acadia Lake.

You can find numerous trails, a beach, and picnic areas.

Places to Avoid in Edmond

Edmond doesn’t have bad neighborhoods or places too dangerous to drive through.

You’ll get higher crime rates near downtown simply because there are more people.

If you don’t want the robust nature of a college town, stick to the north end of town.

However, most of the hotels are near the University, which is also near downtown.

You should definitely avoid visiting Oklahoma without understanding severe weather declarations, like knowing the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Edmond

So... How Safe Is Edmond Really?

Edmond is a really safe community by state and nationwide standards.

However, there are some trouble spots we need to discuss.

The “really” portion of the question will largely depend on how well you protect yourself from potential criminal activity.

The violent crime rate here is 60% lower than the state and national averages.

Nearly one-third of those crimes were against strangers, but 56% happened in private homes.

Theft is the biggest concern here, with the rate being at the national average.

49% are related to car break-ins or accessory thefts.

About two cars a week are stolen.

The average loss for a pickpocket or purse snatching was about $1,400 in 2022.

That just goes to show you that valuables can and will be targeted.

One of the key factors driving the theft rates is people feeling “too safe” in the community.

As with most communities, a lot of people leave their cars unlocked, keep valuables in plain sight inside the vehicle, or even leave the keys inside.

When you park, always review your vehicle by walking around it and looking for potential eye-catchers for thieves.

The only other concern in Edmond is the severe weather potential.

I grew up around tornado warnings and training for them in school, so it doesn’t feel like that big of a threat to me.

I know where to go and what to do, so I am safe no matter what storm forms.

You should feel just as confident by reviewing the documents noted above.

How Does Edmond Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

To enter the country, international travelers must obtain either a visa or a visa waiver. You can check your eligibility for a visa waiver by visiting the U.S. State Department website. Keep in mind that students at OCU will require a student visa, not a tourist visa.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar can be used here. The OKC airport does not have a foreign currency exchange. You should take care of that before you arrive since your home bank offers the lowest fees. Credit cards are widely accepted here too.

Weather

Oklahoma gets four full seasons, but spring and fall can fluctuate greatly. It's rarely "bitterly cold," but always check the forest in winter. Big swings in temperatures can happen. Oklahoma is also notoriously windy, so keep that in mind if you're wearing long, flowing clothing or have long hair.

Airports

Will Rogers World Airport is 23 miles from Edmond, and that drive can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on traffic, since you have to go right through the heart of OKC to get there.

Travel Insurance

Anytime you take a trip where weather could potentially interfere with flights or driving, we highly recommend getting travel insurance. Don't forget to look into health insurance, too, if you won't already be covered at your destination. Also, double-check the insurance on your rental car so you're prepared in the event of a crash or breakdown.

Edmond Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Oklahoma - Safety by City