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Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Oklahoma

Business Security

While there’s a lot to love about Oklahoma, the state’s crime rate isn’t something to be thrilled about.

As a whole, Oklahoma has a higher crime rate compared to other states in the nation. In fact, USA Today just ranked Oklahoma #12 in its list of states with the most violent crimes per capita. 

If you’re an Oklahoma resident, or you’re thinking about relocating to the Sooner State, you may be wondering which areas are the most dangerous.

We’ve compiled a list of the 5 most dangerous cities in Oklahoma:

  • Shawnee
  • Tulsa
  • Del City
  • Muskogee
  • Oklahoma City

Note: The cities below were selected due to having the highest rates of violent crimes and property crimes out of all cities in Oklahoma with a population of 20,000 or more. To compile this list, we used various reports and studies, including data published by RoadSnacks, AreaVibes and LawnStarter.


Do you call one of these Oklahoma cities home? Keep your home or business safe with a custom security system from Ackerman. Call us at 800.552.1111 or schedule an instant security quote online.


 

#1: Shawnee

At the top of our list is Shawnee, a small city located in the heart of the state, just 40 miles east of Oklahoma City.

Shawnee has a rich and diverse history that extends all the way back before the Civil War. That sense of history is clearly preserved in the historic downtown that still serves as the center of many community events today.

Though the city certainly has the idyllic qualities often associated with a small American town, it also has some of the worst crime rates in the state; even the nation. In fact, the total crime rate in Shawnee is 113% higher than the national average.

Here are some Shawnee crime stats at a glance:

  • Violent crimes per *100k people: 1,349 (Most dangerous in OK)
  • Property crimes per 100k people: 5,142 (5th most dangerous in OK)

*Note: For the sake of comparison, the crime rate is expressed as a number out of a hypothetical 100,000 people, even though the actual population size of the city may be less than 100,000k.

#2: Tulsa

Falling just behind Shawnee in our list is Tulsa, one of the biggest cities in the state with a population size of almost 400,000.

Tulsa is considered the cultural center of northeastern Oklahoma, and it is home to numerous tourist attractions and a thriving economy. 

Although there are many reasons to love Tulsa, it also has some of the worst crimes rates in the state. In Tulsa, it is estimated that you have a 1 in 16 chance of becoming a victim of crime. 

Let’s take a look at some of Tulsa’s crime stats:

  • Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,065 (3rd most dangerous in OK)
  • Property crimes per 100k people: 5,430 (4th most dangerous in OK)

#3: Del City

Next on our list is Del City, which is situated between the I-40 and I-35 interstate highways, 6 miles east of Oklahoma City.

Approximately 22,000 people live in Del City. The city maintains a strong link to the military as the city borders the Tinker Air Force base, which is the largest single-site employer in the state.

Although Del City’s crime rates still rank as some of the highest in the state, they have lowered significantly in recent years.

Here are some Del City crime stats at a glance:

  • Violent crimes per 100k people: 786 (7th most dangerous in OK)
  • Property crimes per 100k people: 4,858 (7th most dangerous in OK)

#4: Muskogee

Muskogee is the 11th largest city in Oklahoma, with a population of approximately 40,000. The city is located in the eastern part of the state, around 50 miles southeast of Tulsa.

Though most people likely know the city because of Merle Haggard’s 1969 hit song, “Okie from Muskogee,” Muskogee’s musical legacy extends far beyond one hit song: Today, the city is home to the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, which supports a flourishing live music scene and honors the state’s musical trailblazers. 

When it comes to criminal activity, Muskogee has some of the highest crime rates in the state. That said, crime appears to be on a downward trend.

Let’s take a look at some of Muskogee’s crime stats:

  • Violent crimes per 100k people: 1,001 (4th most dangerous in OK)
  • Property crimes per 100k people: 4,078 (13th most dangerous in OK)

#5: Oklahoma City

Finally, we end our list of most dangerous cities with Oklahoma City, the capital and largest city in the state (population size is estimated to be around 655,000).

As the cultural and entertainment center of the state, Oklahoma City features numerous museums, civic centers, sporting facilities and public parks.

However, Oklahoma City has some of the highest crime rates in the state. In 2019, 31,669 incidents of crime were reported and the city’s crime rates are 93% higher than the national average.

Here are some of Oklahoma City crime stats at a glance:

  • Violent crimes per 100k people: 867 (6th most dangerous in OK)
  • Property crimes per 100k people: 4,027 (15th most dangerous in OK)

Live in one of the cities above? Let Ackerman secure your home

Investing in a home security system provides an extra layer of protection against crime and gives you peace of mind. For over 50 years, we’ve kept homeowners safe all over the U.S. with our customized home security systems. For more information about the types of security systems and services we offer, visit our home security page.

Call us at 800.552.1111 or schedule an instant security quote online.

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