These Are The 10 Worst Small Towns In Oklahoma For 2019


Using science and data, we can tell you which teeny specks in OK are the pits.

Bud Tapman, RoadSnacks
February 7, 2019 - 52,934 views
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Editor’s Note: This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. Don’t freak out we updated this article for . This is our fourth time ranking the worst small places to live in Oklahoma.

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Most Americans have never been to Oklahoma. However, as the people who live there know, Oklahoma is an awesome state.

But is it all roses? Definitely not. Just like any other state, Oklahoma has its trouble spots. This article aims to determine, using science, the absolute worst small towns to live in the Sooner State. Don’t shoot the messenger, this is all using data.

After analyzing more than 164 of Oklahoma’s smallest cities, we came up with this list as the 10 worst small towns in Oklahoma where you’d never want to live:

These are the worst small towns in Oklahoma for 2019:

  1. Wewoka
  2. Wetumka
  3. Panama
  4. Colcord
  5. Heavener
  6. Turley
  7. Cherry Tree
  8. Antlers (Photos)
  9. Geary
  10. Westville

So what is the worst small town to call home in Oklahoma for 2019? According to the most recent census data, Wewoka is the worst small town to live in Oklahoma.

Of course, many of these cities would rank highly if they were in other states, since Oklahoma has its stuff figured out.

Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers, or scroll to the bottom to see how your town ranked.

And if you already know about the small towns, check out the best places to live in Oklahoma or the worst places to live in Oklahoma.

If you’re looking for something more national, check out the worst cities in America or the worst states in America.

How do you decide if a place is lousy or not?

In order to rank the worst small towns to live in Oklahoma, we had to determine what criteria people like or dislike about a place. It isn’t a stretch to assume that people like low crime, solid education, things to do and a stable economy.

So we scraped the internet for those criteria, and it spit out the answer. Like magic.

How we determined the worst small towns to live in Oklahoma for 2019

We threw a lot of criteria at this one in order to get the best, most complete results possible. Using FBI crime data and the Census’s 2013-2017 American Community Survey, this is the criteria we used:

  • Population Density (The lower the worse)
  • Highest Unemployment Rates
  • Low housing costs (meaning there’s no demand)
  • Adjusted Median Income (Median income adjusted for the cost of living)
  • Education (Number of high school dropouts)
  • High Crime

We looked at cities with populations between 1,000 and 5,000 people, of which, there were a lot – 164 to be exact.

Additional note: We get the crime numbers from the FBI, which gets its crime numbers from the cities themselves. Dropout numbers are based on the adult population, not just the current graduation rates of teenagers.

This list is a scientific analysis based on real data and is completely unbiased.

1. Wewoka

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 3,396
Rank Last Year: 3 (Up 2)
Median Home Value: $46,400 (7th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 14.5% (7th worst)
More on Wewoka:  Data

2. Wetumka

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,270
Rank Last Year: 4 (Up 2)
Median Home Value: $50,500 (10th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 10.8% (22nd worst)
More on Wetumka:  Data

3. Panama

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,240
Rank Last Year: 2 (Down 1)
Median Home Value: $52,000 (13th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 10.4% (25th worst)
More on Panama:  Data

4. Colcord

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,021
Rank Last Year: –
Median Home Value: $62,400 (30th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 9.2% (40th worst)
More on Colcord:  Data

5. Heavener

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 3,338
Rank Last Year: 6 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $49,100 (8th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 6.2% (82nd worst)
More on Heavener:  Data

6. Turley

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 2,580
Rank Last Year: 9 (Up 3)
Median Home Value: $44,600 (5th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 15.7% (3rd worst)
More on Turley:  Data

7. Cherry Tree

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 1,125
Rank Last Year: –
Median Home Value: $56,400 (18th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 2.9% (141st worst)
More on Cherry Tree:  Data

8. Antlers

Antlers, OK

Source: Wikipedia User Photolitherland | CC BY 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 2,685
Rank Last Year: 11 (Up 3)
Median Home Value: $62,700 (31st worst)
Unemployment Rate: 10.3% (26th worst)
More on Antlers:  Data | Photos

9. Geary

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,255
Rank Last Year: 15 (Up 6)
Median Home Value: $50,500 (10th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 8.7% (44th worst)
More on Geary:  Data

10. Westville

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 1,573
Rank Last Year: 10 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $56,800 (20th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 8.3% (52nd worst)
More on Westville:  Data

There You Have It – The Worst Small Towns In Oklahoma

If you’re analyzing teeny places in the Sooner State with the worst economic situations, where there’s high crime and there’s not a lot to do, this is an accurate list.

If you’re curious enough, here are the best small towns to live in Oklahoma, according to science:

  1. North Enid (Pop. 1,110)
  2. Okarche (Pop. 1,346)
  3. Nichols Hills (Pop. 3,866)

For more Oklahoma reading, check out:

Detailed List Of The Worst Small Towns In Oklahoma

Rank Town Population Unemployment Rate Home Value
1 Wewoka 3,396 14.5% $46,400
2 Wetumka 1,270 10.8% $50,500
3 Panama 1,240 10.4% $52,000
4 Colcord 1,021 9.2% $62,400
5 Heavener 3,338 6.2% $49,100
6 Turley 2,580 15.7% $44,600
7 Cherry Tree 1,125 2.9% $56,400
8 Antlers 2,685 10.3% $62,700
9 Geary 1,255 8.7% $50,500
10 Westville 1,573 8.3% $56,800
11 Okemah 3,217 14.8% $64,700
12 Vian 1,420 11.7% $70,600
13 Arkoma 1,859 13.0% $71,700
14 Carnegie 2,028 12.9% $44,300
15 Atoka 3,077 8.4% $78,600
16 Jay 2,486 6.1% $69,800
17 Locust Grove 1,449 8.2% $67,900
18 Brushy 1,063 10.2% $86,400
19 Wister 1,090 15.8% $61,400
20 Commerce 2,314 8.7% $57,200
21 Boley 1,201 9.6% $73,300
22 Broken Bow 4,101 5.7% $75,700
23 Kenwood 1,029 7.9% $87,800
24 Waurika 2,123 5.5% $56,900
25 Stilwell 4,002 5.7% $74,700
26 Nowata 3,688 9.3% $63,800
27 Konawa 1,290 7.3% $60,700
28 Comanche 1,477 7.0% $52,100
29 Afton 1,176 8.0% $61,800
30 Tishomingo 3,072 9.6% $73,800
31 Warner 1,605 8.2% $66,200
32 Muldrow 3,277 9.2% $84,300
33 Hobart 3,609 8.4% $58,500
34 Stigler 2,713 9.0% $85,000
35 Frederick 3,721 4.5% $43,600
36 Eufaula 2,870 8.3% $98,300
37 Beggs 1,376 13.6% $69,400
38 Chelsea 2,003 11.6% $73,600
39 Checotah 3,202 12.3% $83,100
40 West Siloam Springs 1,005 12.4% $79,300
41 Fairfax 1,394 10.3% $35,400
42 Wilburton 2,699 7.4% $73,500
43 Talihina 1,054 10.5% $59,800
44 Coalgate 1,995 15.5% $74,300
45 Langston 1,243 19.0% $49,200
46 Park Hill 3,985 6.1% $99,800
47 Sayre 4,625 10.2% $69,700
48 Yale 1,097 15.4% $59,400
49 Rush Springs 1,198 10.9% $57,500
50 Spiro 2,715 4.2% $75,500
51 Bushyhead 1,186 8.9% $94,400
52 Hollis 2,023 6.1% $43,400
53 Stratford 1,438 4.3% $71,600
54 Sperry 1,143 6.1% $71,700
55 Apache 1,524 12.6% $74,500
56 Granite 1,945 10.8% $53,400
57 Colbert 1,231 14.2% $79,200
58 Maysville 1,290 3.8% $68,100
59 Oakland 1,035 5.0% $65,000
60 Pawhuska 3,432 5.3% $56,000
61 Shattuck 1,257 6.2% $72,000
62 Hominy 3,467 7.7% $62,900
63 Maud 1,190 10.1% $45,000
64 Copeland 1,803 9.7% $124,400
65 Mounds 1,124 6.0% $85,700
66 Roland 3,529 6.1% $91,600
67 Drumright 2,880 4.8% $72,200
68 Bray 1,243 7.5% $106,400
69 Healdton 2,765 6.0% $71,500
70 Pocola 4,042 10.7% $96,700
71 Kingston 1,705 4.6% $75,600
72 Haskell 1,946 6.3% $79,300
73 Chandler 3,099 8.8% $89,800
74 Salina 1,282 8.3% $79,000
75 Walters 2,779 8.5% $76,800
76 Spencer 4,024 10.2% $75,700
77 Gore 1,019 4.2% $94,000
78 Longtown 2,798 3.2% $83,700
79 Texanna 2,364 7.1% $102,000
80 Pawnee 2,076 4.6% $83,800
81 Waynoka 1,149 3.5% $55,600
82 Snyder 1,438 4.9% $63,500
83 Barnsdall 1,081 4.1% $56,600
84 Tonkawa 3,109 5.5% $67,300
85 Mangum 2,886 5.7% $64,700
86 Oakhurst 2,543 5.1% $85,400
87 Meeker 1,149 4.9% $84,400
88 Hartshorne 2,206 8.5% $76,900
89 Wynnewood 2,141 5.8% $70,000
90 Bristow 4,197 3.1% $79,200
91 Calera 2,741 9.4% $91,900
92 Marlow 4,553 7.2% $103,500
93 Madill 3,864 4.0% $83,900
94 Davis 2,774 5.0% $84,100
95 Pink 2,164 7.8% $94,700
96 Lexington 2,381 5.5% $75,300
97 Krebs 2,054 6.7% $98,500
98 Stroud 2,719 7.6% $83,200
99 Caddo 1,167 3.2% $72,700
100 Cherokee 1,577 7.9% $64,600

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8 thoughts on “These Are The 10 Worst Small Towns In Oklahoma For 2019”

  2. You know I was born in Oklahoma. In fact the little town of Williams, Oklahoma. To me this is a great place. You know your neighbors and friends. This town when I left it was a great place. We had the only gas station their. We also had a little tiny shop inside of it. In our town we had 2 little stores. The one down the road had Ice Cream. The kind on the stick. The other store had the only Celar in town that I know of. In your ranking you would probably rank it very low. But I rather live in a small town. They are allways the best. My day on Sunday would use the bread truck to go around and pick people up for Sunday School. Then take them home when done. We had a 90 acre farm. But like most people my mom and dad decided california was the place to be. So they packed up and moved to California. We moved to another little place. The town called Lamont, Ca. We lived a half mile from their. A little community call Woods Addition. So life was good again. Wish I could move back their even now. Harold.

    Reply

  3. This article makes me sick. You put the whole population of each little community into one sorry category. You don’t have a clue about these places. Stupid judgemental person. Sorry I gave you space in my head.

    Reply

  4. This author picked ghost towns to criticize. He could have easily picked communities that actually had population growth to analyze. Instead he picked dying communities.

    Reply

  6. You missed a lot in Boswell, Oklahoma. Start with this news story.

    You also missed Woods Guest Ranch, The new Barbecue Smoke House Restaurant, The Florist Shop, The Medical Care Center, Randy’s Hop-N-Shop with tire shop and 3 fueling islands with 9 gas pumps, Insurance Office, Pierce’s Store where you can buy groceries, auto parts, tools, saddles, hog feed, chicken feed, small appliances, power tools, fresh vegetables, gloves and hats. You missed the new Motel, the Liquor Store, Boswell Lumber and Hardware Store, The Thunderbird Diner, The Texoma National Bank, a Used Car dealership, Arnold Brother’s Lumber Company, Robinson Construction Company, The Public Library, The beautiful Boswell State Park where ball games are held, fireworks on the 4th of July, You also missed the Professional Rodeo Grounds on the north side of Highway 70 just east of town, you also missed 11 Churches in Boswell, and Ferguson’s Dairy south of town, and Nacho Mamma’s tavern on Highway 70, and the Senior Citizen’s Nutrition Center on Highway 70, you also missed the Medical Supply business on Highway 70, and you missed A.I.T. Headlight Restoration service for faded and dirty headlights.

    Boswell might be a small town on the map and if you are speeding through our town in the dark of the night, you just might miss seeing some things or not know the name of a great kid like Blaine Brown you will find in the news link provided above.

    You might not know that 9 out of 10 cars on the highway have dirty headlights.

    You might also have made mention that Boswell is the home of the rodeo champions in roping of David Bacon and the Bacon families as well as the Belvin rodeo families.

    We also have a full services funeral business in Boswell, and a beauty salon where women go to get their hair and nails done.

    I don’t feel that Boswell belongs on this list of the 10 worst small towns. We also have a police department and a fire department with EMS first responders with smaller fire fighter trucks for rapid response.

    I would sincerely hope that you will reconsider and remove Boswell from this list.

    Sincerely,

    Sam Morris (Retired Fiber Optics Engineer)
    Boswell, Oklahoma

    Reply

  7. The photo of marble city is not accurate, not even close, but marble is a nice town. The worst thing about Moffett is Reilly Brooks.

    Reply

  8. I am from a small town in Oklahoma called Bowlegs. Great little place to grow up and great little place to call home. I know the guys who evaluated the small towns didn’t mean any harm. While living and writing songs in Nashville TN. I got to talk to a guy named Jeff Hanna, who happened To be founder of The Nitty Gritty dirt Band and also wrote a song on their Dirt Silver and Gold album called Bowlegs. We had a great conversation and his beautiful wife, Matraca Burg, who wrote Strawberry Wine, was as equally delightful. Look for me on you tube boys and girls. Oh yes and I currently play in the praise and worship band in Wewoka, OK at Faith Baptist Church. Wewoka is really not so bad these days. We’ve all settled down a lot. God bless and good luck kids.

    Reply

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