The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Oklahoma

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Oklahoma For 2023

Oklahoma’s second biggest city and the cultural center of the state’s northeast, Tulsa ranks as the most dangerous place to live in Oklahoma for 2023. Tulsa had the third highest violent crime rate in Oklahoma, recording 57 murders in 2022.

Overall, residents had a 1 in 107 chance of being the victim of a robbery, rape, assault, or murder. That’s a good enough reason to stay buddied up when you’re in Tulsa’s worst neighborhoods.

Property crime is also a big deal in Tulsa, especially burglaries. There were 3,590 burglaries in 2022 overall, giving the city the eighth highest burglary rate statewide. We just hope there’s enough security at the Philbrook Museum of Art to stop any would-be heisters.

Anadarko got its name by accident. The town was supposed to be named after the Nadaco band of Native Americans. However, somewhere in the process of getting its first post office, someone added an “A” to the front of the word.

Not an auspicious start. But this community in central Oklahoma, about 50 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, has other problems to worry about than the history of its name. It also stands as the number 2 most dangerous spot in the state. The town suffers high rates of larceny and burglary, as well as a scary pace of violent crimes.

You’d think having a castle and a submarine around, Muskogee would have its bases covered in preventing crime, but it doesn’t.

Muskogee ranked as the most violent place in Oklahoma, with residents facing a 1 in 90 chance of being the victim of a robbery, rape, assault, or murder in 2022. A lot of that comes from Muskogee having the seventh highest rate of rape cases statewide.

If that doesn’t sound bad enough, consider that Muskogee also averaged one burglary a day over 2022 — truly, nowhere is safe in Muskogee.

Located about an hour south of Oklahoma City, Pauls Valley ranks as Oklahoma’s fourth least safe place to live. Pauls Valley had the fourth highest burglary count in the state and recorded a property crime each day, on average. That’s quite a lot in a city of just 6,066.

Here’s hoping that no super criminal nerd collective gets together to pull a heist of the local Toy and Action Figure Museum.

While Pauls Valley had the second most property crime in Oklahoma, it’s the least violent place on this list.

Poteau, the county seat of Le Flore County in Oklahoma, has a rich history dating back to 1719 when French explorers first traveled through the area. Deriving its name from the Poteau River, the city was officially founded in 1885 and is now home to approximately 8,871. However, despite its historical significance and idyllic location, Poteau has been ranked as the fifth most dangerous place in Oklahoma for 2023.

The city reported 56 incidents of violent crime, including 2 murders, 8 rapes, and 43 cases of aggravated assault. This gives Poteau the seventh highest violent crime rate in the state.

Shawnee, a city in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, has the unfortunate distinction of being the sixth most dangerous place to live in Oklahoma for 2023. The city, located around 45 minutes east of downtown Oklahoma City near Interstate 40, has a population of approximately 31,865.

The city’s violent crime rate per capita is 571/100k, ranking as the ninth highest in the state. This includes 30 cases of rape and 17 robberies. The property crime rate per capita is 3,495/100k, including 210 burglaries, contributing to the city’s overall high crime rates.

You won’t find Del City anywhere on our list of Oklahoma City’s best suburbs, and crime is a big reason why.

Del City had the eighth highest violent crime rate in Oklahoma. Residents had a staggering 1 in 171 shot of being the victim of a violent attack in 2022.

Add to that 722 property crimes over the year, and you’ve got a recipe for a full plate for the Del City Police Department.

Oklahoma City’s crime numbers actually fell a bit over the last year, despite it holding onto a spot on this list. That’s just because other cities in Oklahoma are improving faster than the capital city.

Still, residents have to contend with the sixth highest violent crime rate in Oklahoma. That includes more than one murder each week and more than one rape each day. Not exactly part of the Wild West image Oklahoma City was going for with the National Cowboy and Western Museum.

As for property crime, Oklahoma City recorded more than ten car thefts each day on average, and 21,191 property crimes overall. However, as OKC is the state’s biggest city, there are obviously some rougher areas, but if you stick to Oklahoma City’s best neighborhoods, you should be safe.

Sallisaw, located in Sequoyah County, is the ninth most dangerous place to live in Oklahoma. The city, which has a population of 8,505, has a troubling violent crime rate of 435/100k per capita. This includes 37 incidents of violent crime.

Historically an integral part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas–Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area, Sallisaw’s safety issues starkly contrast its rich history and cultural significance.

Miami, located in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, holds an unfortunate ranking as the tenth most dangerous place to live in the state for 2023. This city, founded in 1891 and known for its lead and zinc mining history, is now infamous for its high crime rates. With a population of 12,904, it has an alarming 503/100k violent crimes per capita, ranking it as the 14th highest in the state.

Property crime is also a serious concern with a staggering 3,479/100k property crimes per capita.

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