The latest FBI report on Oklahoma crime shows rates well below the national average in many towns throughout the state, with locales like Hinton and Nichols Hills reporting zero cases of violent crime.
The news comes at a time of increasing budget cuts to education within the state, inspiring many teachers to take to the streets in protest. Shortening the school week to just four days is among the solutions sought by more than two hundred schools throughout Oklahoma. While popular with some, the decision could work against state efforts to reduce higher-than-average property and violent crime rates. This is according to a new study that found a positive correlation between shortened school weeks and an increase in youth crime. Based on data collected from rural law enforcement agencies in Colorado, the report found a 20% increase in juvenile criminal offenses in areas that adopted a four-day school week, with property crime experiencing the greatest gains.
As it stands, Oklahoma’s property and violent crime rate is 24% and 16% higher than the national average, respectively. Nevertheless, the state is not without its many havens. The FBI report identified thirteen municipalities that experienced less than one violent crime per 1,000 people. As for property crime, over half of the towns included on our list showed rates at least 50% less than the national average.
Regardless of where in Oklahoma you live, a variety of resources exist to help ensure your peace of mind. Take matters of safety into your own hands by visiting our Oklahoma Safety Directory, where you’ll find information ranging from crime prevention to natural disaster response.
The 20 Safest Cities in Oklahoma
1. Hinton
Population: 3,252
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.00
Property crimes per 1,000: 5.54
Total crime: 0% violent, 100% property
2. Nichols Hills
Population: 3,921
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.00
Property crimes per 1,000: 16.83
Total crime: 0% violent, 100% property
3. Newcastle
Population: 9,816
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.51
Property crimes per 1,000: 20.07
Total crime: 2.54% violent, 97.46% property
4. Hobart
Population: 3,596
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.56
Property crimes per 1,000: 16.96
Total crime: 3.28% violent, 96.72% property
5. Alva
Population: 5,227
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.57
Property crimes per 1,000: 11.86
Total crime: 4.84% violent, 95.16% property
6. Elgin
Population: 3,146
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.64
Property crimes per 1,000: 1.27
Total crime: 50.00% violent, 50.00% property
7. Piedmont
Population: 7,420
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.67
Property crimes per 1,000: 1.27
Total crime: 14.29% violent, 85.71% property
8. Blanchard
Population: 8,461
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.71
Property crimes per 1,000: 10.28
Total crime: 6.90% violent, 93.10% property
9. Choctaw
Population: 12,382
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.81
Property crimes per 1,000: 13.25
Total crime: 6.10% violent, 95.90% property
10. Weatherford
Population: 12,399
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.89
Property crimes per 1,000: 15.24
Total crime: 5.82% violent, 94.18% property
11. Verdigris
Population: 4,428
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.90
Property crimes per 1,000: 9.49
Total crime: 9.52% property, 90.48% property
12. Cleveland
Population: 3,209
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.93
Property crimes per 1,000: 9.66
Total crime: 9.68% violent, 90.32% property
13. Bixby
Population: 25,453
Violent crime per 1,000: 0.98
Property crimes per 1,000: 15.09
Total crime: 6.51% violent, 93.49% property
14. Watonga
Population: 3,002
Violent crime per 1,000 1.00
Property crimes per 1,000: 8.33
Total crime: 12.00% violent, 88% property
15. Skiatook
Population: 8,005
Violent crime per 1,000: 1.00
Property crimes per 1,000: 22.36
Total crime: 4.47% violent, 95.53% property
16. Elk City
Population: 12,939
Violent crime per 1,000: 1.00
Property crimes per 1,000: 23.34
Total crime: 4.30% violent, 95.70% property
17. Mustang
Population: 20,813
Violent crime per 1,000: 1.01
Property crimes per 1,000: 11.82
Total crime: 8.54% violent, 91.46% property
18. Madill
Population: 3,957
Violent crime per 1,000: 1.01
Property crimes per 1,000: 38.67
Total crime: 2.61% violent, 97.39% property
19. Noble
Population: 6,699
Violent crime per 1,000: 1.04
Property crime per 1,000: 16.42
Total crime: 6.36% violent, 93.64% property
20. Jenks
Population: 21,535
Violent crime per 1,000: 1.11
Property crime per 1,000: 13.33
Total crime: 8.36% violent, 91.64% property
How We Chose the Safest Cities in Oklahoma
To identify the twenty safest cities in Oklahoma, we reviewed the 2016 FBI crime report statistics and population data. Cities that fell below identified population thresholds or that failed to submit a complete crime report to the FBI were excluded from the ranking system.
Our evaluation is based on the number of reported violent crimes (aggravated assault, murder, rape, and robbery) in each city. If there was a tie, we also factored in the number of property crimes (burglary, arson, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft). To level the playing field, we calculated the rate of crimes per 1,000 people in each city. This makes it easier to directly compare the likelihood of these crimes occurring in cities with vastly different populations.
Learn more about how we rank our Safest Cities reports.
How to Make a Safe Home Anywhere
Wherever you live, feeling safe in your home can bring greater peace of mind and happiness. Whether your city made our list or not, we recommend adding extra security to your home with monitored security services provided by the nation’s leading home security providers.
To learn more about the home security options available to you, check out SafeWise’s picks for Best Home Security Systems of 2018.
If you would like to contact a SafeWise Safest Cities Analyst, please email info@safewise.com.
Written by Tamarra Kemsley
Tamarra graduated with a BA in communications in 2012 and with an MA in Islam and the Middle East from Jerusalem's Hebrew University in 2015. You can follow her on Twitter @tamarranicole. Learn more