Is Enid Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Enid, Oklahoma, is a small town about 90 minutes north of Oklahoma City.

While it’s a small, rural town, it offers a blend of historical charm, cultural attractions, and outdoor adventures, making it a worthwhile destination for travelers seeking a unique experience.

Enid’s modern history dates back to the late 19th century when it emerged as a thriving railroad town.

Today, the city proudly preserves its heritage through landmarks like the Enid Central Railroad Depot and the Enid Museum, which showcase the city’s role in shaping Oklahoma’s history.

Vance Air Force Base, home to the 71st Flying Training Wing, is a significant presence in Enid.

The base offers opportunities to witness military aircraft training, adding an element of excitement to any visit.

For those seeking cultural immersion, Enid boasts a vibrant arts scene, with theaters, museums, and art galleries showcasing local talent and regional heritage.

The Leonardo’s Discovery Center and the Enid Symphony Orchestra are just a few examples of the city’s cultural offerings.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find ample opportunities for recreation in Enid’s parks and lakes.

The Enid Public Golf Course, the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, and the St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, with its beautiful stained-glass windows, are all worth a visit.

Enid has also produced its share of famous individuals, including actors James Garner and Shirley Jones, Olympic gold medalist Tom J. Richards, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Steinbeck, who once called Enid his home.

Whether you’re seeking historical insights, cultural experiences, or outdoor adventures, Enid offers a welcoming atmosphere and a variety of attractions to make your visit worthwhile.

I’m not really one to build up a town to be more than it is for the sake of tourism, so believe me when I say there are plenty of unique historic and tourist attractions here that could easily fill a three-day weekend.

Warnings & Dangers in Enid

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's an average risk in Enid, but we'll call it a low risk. For a small town, there are a surprising number of things to do, which helps keep that risk low.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Enid Public Transportation Authority (EPTA) is the public transportation system here, but I'd look at the routes and schedules to see if that suits your needs. Taxis and rideshares won't be as abundant here. Having a rental car really opens the road to possibilities to explore across the region. All options are a low risk.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

An average of five pickpockets or purse snatchings happen here each year, according to crime data from the past five years. While that's not a lot, the higher-than-average theft rates make it a medium risk. With a slew of car break-ins and shoplifting reports, it's important to know there are people capable of theft around you.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

This is a medium risk, as any city in Oklahoma would be due to the most intense tornado risk in the spring. Winters can also bring snow and ice. Wildfires, intense winds, and strong thunderstorms are other things to watch out for.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

This is a low risk, with robbery rates 68% lower than the national average. Keep that risk low by exercising caution when you're out at night and avoid walking around unfamiliar neighborhoods that are away from tourist attractions.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

With the presence of Vance Air Force Base, the risk is technically medium. However, that risk also comes with abundant security. There's no reason to fear that Enid would be a terror target beyond that. As with any city in America, it's important to report any suspicious activity immediately.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Scams here focus on residents or new community members - like military families that move in and out of the region. There's no overwhelming concern about scams against tourists, but your best bet is to review the police department and city social media sites to get information about the latest scams.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is another average (low) risk, but with the number of thefts reported here, we urge you to use extra caution and keep your purse, baby bag, shopping bags, etc., secured or safely stored in the hotel when you don't need them.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

While the risk is low, it's important to review the city's Water Production website section. Here you can learn about how groundwater is used for tap water and what the process is to keep it clean. There are instructions on how to conserve water. Also, the 2022 Water Quality Report showed two major violations. The fact that the water utility reported it and addressed the problem shouldn't cause worry but instead, show how dedicated it is to keeping the water safe.

Safest Places to Visit in Enid

VisitEnid.org is the official tourism site for the city.

The Enid Welcome Center is located downtown, and it’s a great first stop upon arrival.

You might also want to sign up for the Visit Enid weekly newsletter to learn about local events, as those are some of the highlights of things to do.

Enid has a slew of historical sites and museums to explore.

The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center covers European settlement in the area, beginning with the Land Run of 1893.

Guides in era-appropriate clothing guide you as if you were a settler visiting for the first time.

Humphrey Heritage Village is a collection of four historical buildings within the center grounds.

The Railroad Museum of Oklahoma, located in a historic freight depot, includes one of the largest collections of railroad memorabilia in the country.

A model train display is one of the most popular attractions here. Vintage rail cars are also on display.

Simpson’s Old Time Museum takes you back to the Old West with wagons, saddles, dolls, and Western film sets.

Take a seat in the saloon and enjoy a sarsaparilla drink, but watch your attitude.

The marshal is always walking around looking for people to put in the 1880s jail (for fun).

At the Midgley Museum, oddities and eccentricities are everywhere.

This museum has a collection of diverse artifacts, plus an ample collection of rocks and minerals.

Locals also refer to this as the Rock House.

One look at the photo of it, and you’ll see why!

A hidden Oklahoma gem is Leonardo’s Children’s Museum & Adventure Quest in Enid.

This museum has exhibits on science, art, and history.

Explore three stories that include a life-sized Light Bright and Operation game.

Then head outside to the largest playground in the world created by a community for a community.

Check out the seasonal offerings at Red Bird Farm, which is a Christmas Tree farm around the holidays, and a blackberry farm in the summer.

Places to Avoid in Enid

The central and east sides of the city have the highest crime rates, but there’s no neighborhood that is too dangerous or parts of town that will lead to danger.

However, stick to the main roads and highways when driving around.

This isn’t a city where you can drive around and look at magnificent homes.

It’s a working/middle-class community of people.

The only neighborhoods worth exploring are designated historic neighborhoods.

If you find yourself in a car when a tornado is imminent or a severe thunderstorm is bearing down, do not park under a highway overpass.

You’ll be at greater risk from vehicles coming behind you, and the overpasses act as a wind tunnel, causing a more hazardous situation.

I see this way too often when I chase storms, and it’s important to share this message.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Enid

So... How Safe Is Enid Really?

Enid has a little bit of an edge to it, but nothing that should stop you from considering a trip to visit there.

Violent crime rates are at the national average and just slightly below the state average.

Since 2012, the crime rates have moved like a gentle roller coaster – every bit of improvement adjusts within a year or two to a peak and then back down again.

About 25% of violent crimes happen against strangers, so as a tourist, I’d focus mostly on that number.

What I found particularly unsettling in Enid is that juveniles were both the victims and the assailants in 20% of violent crimes.

Enid and Oklahoma, in general, are battling a meth and fentanyl drug crisis, which isn’t exclusive to this state.

Narcotics task force leaders say methamphetamine and fentanyl are the #1 killers in the state.

Quite frankly, some of the crime stories I researched to give you this information were just too gruesome for me to read.

Now let’s talk about thefts.

The rate is 37% higher than the national average, fueled by shoplifting and car break-ins/car accessory thefts.

While much of that could be attributed to people looking for quick thefts to make money to buy drugs, those numbers are pretty consistent with trends I’ve seen nationwide.

About seven cars are stolen each month, down from 17 in 2019.

For the most part, Enid rides the average crime level aside from robberies and homicides, which are both below average, at least since 2021.

Theft is the one category that rises above.

Common sense, situational awareness, and avoiding any kind of drug-related activity will go a long way to enjoying a safe trip to Enid, Oklahoma.

How Does Enid 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 check the right visa for your trip. A valid passport is also needed.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar is accepted here. You should check which ATMs will be compatible with your debit card if that's how you plan to get cash. Your home bank offers the lowest fees for currency exchange. It's also worth noting that Oklahoma's major airports don't have currency exchange on site.

Weather

Oklahoma gets a mixed bag throughout the year, so it's smart to pack layers of clothing with at least one waterproof outer shell. Summers will be hot and humid. Bug spray and sunscreen will be needed. Winter can get cold, but err on the mild side most of the time.

Airports

You can get to Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City in about 90 minutes. That's the largest and closest option.

Travel Insurance

If traveling anywhere that weather could interfere with your agenda, travel insurance is highly recommended. Secure medical insurance if your current plan is limited to the states. Check rental car coverage also, so you're prepared for a breakdown or accident. Having roadside assistance is worth the cost.

Enid Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Oklahoma - Safety by City