Discover the 25 Most Dangerous Places in Oklahoma

From museums and cultural displays to scenic lakes, and natural wonders like the enchanting cypress bottoms in the southeast and the vast high plains in the panhandle, there are plenty of things in Oklahoma that will blow you away! Unfortunately, though, Oklahoma’s crime statistics don’t paint the state in as pretty a picture. With a higher than average violent crime rate, the ‘Sooner State‘ finds itself among the 16 most dangerous states in the US. In a state where crime is so prevalent, adopting a “better safe than sorry” approach has become almost imperative, especially in these top 25 most dangerous places. These 25 most dangerous places in Oklahoma have been ranked according to the FBI’s 2019 crime statistics for the state, with consideration given only to cities with a population of at least 5,000 inhabitants.

Oklahoma’s 25 Most Dangerous Places

#25 Purcell

• Population: 6,481
• Violent Crime Rate: 3.08 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 34.25 per 1,000 people

Purcell, often dubbed ‘the Queen City of the Chickasaw Nation’ and recognized as the ‘Quarter Horse Capital of the World’ witnessed a total of 242 crimes in 2019.

#24 Bethany

• Population: 19,346
• Violent Crime Rate: 3.77 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 35.56 per 1,000 people

Bethany, a small suburban town situated outside Downtown Oklahoma City, holds the 24th position on our list of the most dangerous places in Oklahoma. In the year 2019, the city documented a total of 761 crimes.

#23 Grove

• Population: 7,129
• Violent Crime Rate: 2.38 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 37.45 per 1,000 people

The picturesque city of Grove in Oklahoma lies close to Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees and is renowned for its abundant fishing and water sports opportunities. Despite its picturesque surroundings, the city faces concerns about crime rates, averaging approximately 39.84 crimes per 1,000 people.

#22 Warr Acres

• Population: 10,331
• Violent Crime Rate: 6.87 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 33.29 per 1,000 people

Warr Acres, one of the many urban islands in the Oklahoma City area reported 415 incidents of crime in 2019.

#21 Anadarko

• Population: 6,540
• Violent Crime Rate: 7.34 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 34.09 per 1,000 people

In Anadarko, a city that proudly labels itself the ‘Indian Capital of the Nation,’ the incidence of violent crime is nearly double the national average, placing the city within the top ten percent of the most violent cities in the US.

#20 Poteau

• Population: 8,961
• Violent Crime Rate: 4.13 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 37.60 per 1,000 people

Poteau, a charming city nestled in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains is an outdoor enthusiast’s haven. It is a shame though that the city’s crime rates don’t fare as well in comparison. In 2019, a total of 374 crimes were reported in the city.

#19 Lawton

• Population: 92,256
• Violent Crime Rate: 9.26 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 32.21 per 1,000 people

Lawton is a city with a strong military influence. But that doesn’t stop it from having to contend with high crime rates. The city’s overall crime rate surpasses the overall crime rate in Oklahoma by 27 percent.

#18 Cushing

• Population: 7,639
• Violent Crime Rate: 1.30 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 40.45 per 1,000 people

The city of Cushing earns high marks for livability with plenty of great amenities including a variety of restaurants, excellent public schools, a community theatre, a cinema, golf, bowling, and even a full-service regional hospital. Unfortunately, though the city’s positive features are often tempered by its crime rates.

#17 Ada

• Population: 17,321
• Violent Crime Rate: 4.09 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 38.85

Ada’s crime rate is higher than the average crime rate in Oklahoma by 31%.

#16 Sand Springs

• Population: 20,024
• Violent Crime Rate: 1.09 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 43.85 per 1,000 people

In the city of Sand Springs, Oklahoma’s only planned industrial town, property crimes pose a substantial challenge. Property crimes account for 98% of all the reported offenses in the city.

#15 Tahlequah

• Population: 16,861
• Violent Crime Rate: 0.65 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 44.42 per 1,000 people

In the small quaint town of Tahlequah, crime rates have been on the decline since 2019. However, the improvement hasn’t been sufficient to remove it from the list of most dangerous places in Oklahoma.

#14 Ponca City

• Population: 23,876
• Violent Crime Rate: 6.37 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 39.07 per 1,000 people

There’s so much happening in Ponca City! From state-of-the-art museums to galleries and historic and cultural points of interest, the city has so much to offer. However, crime casts a shadow over Ponca City. Crime rates in the city are 39% higher than the overall crime rate in the state.

#13 Durant

• Population: 18,478
• Violent Crime Rate: 3.62 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 42.27 per 1,000 people

In the ‘Magnolia Capital of Oklahoma‘, crime rates surpass the state average by 40 percent.

#12 Muskogee

• Population: 37,174
• Violent Crime Rate: 10.46 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 35.86 per 1,000 people

Oklahoma’s 13th-largest city, Muskogee is included in the list of the state’s most dangerous places due to its notably high violent crime rate.

#11 Oklahoma City

• Population: 657,890
• Violent Crime Rate: 7.22 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 40.91 per 1,000 people

In the sprawling Oklahoma City, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and aggravated assault were some of the most prevalent crimes.

#10 Ardmore

• Population: 24,830
• Violent Crime Rate: 8.25 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 42.12 per 1,000 people

Crime rates in Ardmore exceed the average crime rate in Oklahoma by 54%.

#9 Hugo

• Population: 5,081
• Violent Crime Rate: 4.72
• Property Crime Rate: 45.66

Larceny theft and burglary are the predominant crimes in the city of Hugo.

#8 Del City

• Population: 21,794
• Violent Crime Rate: 8.62 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 43.22 per 1,000 people

Del City has consistently grappled with high crime rates, a struggle often attributed to a higher-than-average poverty rate.

#7 Shawnee

• Population: 31,627
• Violent Crime Rate: 4.93 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 47.96 per 1,000 people

In the city of Shawnee, property crimes make up approximately 91% of all reported offenses.

#6 Okmulgee

• Population: 11,702
• Violent Crime Rate: 6.15
• Property Crime Rate: 48.11

The larceny-theft rate in Okmulgee is ranked eighth among the 75 cities in Oklahoma.

#5 Pauls Valley

• Population: 6,157
• Violent Crime Rate: 4.87
• Property Crime Rate: 57.82

In 2019, the relatively small community of Pauls Valley recorded a total of 386 crimes.

#4 Tulsa

• Population: 401,700
• Violent Crime Rate: 9.86 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 53.11 per 1,000 people

Tulsa doesn’t just rank as one of the most dangerous places in Oklahoma, it is also counted among the most dangerous metropolitan areas in the United States.

#3 McAlester

• Population: 17,840
• Violent Crime Rate: 5.54 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 58.23 per 1,000 people

In McAlester, there is reported to be a 1 in 34 likelihood of falling victim to either violent crime or property crime.

#2 Catoosa

• Population: 6,975
• Violent Crime Rate: 5.44 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 59.92 per 1,000 people

Catoosa ranks among the top 25% most violent cities in the US.

#1 Idabel

• Population: 6,816
• Violent Crime Rate: 6.30 per 1,000 people
• Property Crime Rate: 63.23 per 1,000 people

With an exceptionally high larceny-theft rate, Idabel secures the top spot on our list of the most dangerous places in Oklahoma.

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