7 Safest Small Communities To Settle In Oklahoma
Just under 4.1 million people live in Oklahoma, which used to serve as the Indian Territory before becoming a state in 1907. As in pioneer days, Oklahoma unfortunately still has a reputation for being dangerous. It ranks 13th in the nation for violent crime with 423 offenses per 100,000 people. However, the state has many small towns that defy the statistics and provide a safe environment to live in and enjoy local attractions, such as the Cowboy Trail, a massive collection of antique phones, Route 66 attractions, majestic canyons, and other offbeat and memorable sites. Read on to learn more about these 7 safest small communities where you can live with peace of mind in Oklahoma.
Jenks
If you're looking for a safe home in Oklahoma, Jenks is a great place to start. It hasn't had a single homicide since 2021 and its aggravated assault level is nearly seven times lower than the state average. Although technically a suburb of Tulsa, Jenks is a city in its own right with a population of just under 29,000 people. It also features a wide range of fun activities to explore for residents and travelers such as the majestic Jenks Planetarium located in the local high school, and the Oklahoma Aquarium, the largest indoor ocean exhibit in the entire region. Jenks also produces a lot of honey, which you can purchase from the Roark Acres Honey Farms. For outdoor activities, go visit the tranquil Veterans Park, which has a children's playground, walking trail, and a fishing pond stocked with catfish, bass, and sunfish.
Hinton
Located 50 miles west of Oklahoma City, Hinton is a little town that's a popular destination for climbers and hikers due to its close proximity to Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park. First used by the Plains Indians as a winter campsite, it features camping, hiking trails and rappelling opportunities through the canyons. For another outdoor adventure, you can see bison meandering the plains in their natural habitat at the Sandy Springs Farm. Hinton is also home to the Hinton Historical Museum & Parker House, which features old vehicles and the largest collection of antique phones in Oklahoma. There are also a few casinos in town, like Casino Oklahoma, for gamblers. Hinton is a very safe town with no aggravated assaults reported since 2022 and no homicides reported over the last five years.
Hennessey
This historic town is named after Pat Hennessey, an Irish freighter who was killed near the site of the town in 1874. Historians attribute this tragedy to either to Native Americans or white outlaws posing as Indians. The town was officially incorporated in 1890 and sits by the famous Chisholm Trail, a historic route used by cowboys to drive cattle from southern Texas into Oklahoma. Despite the grim story of its founding, Hennessey is now recognized as one of the safest towns in Oklahoma, with no aggravated assaults reported since 2021 and no homicides in recent years. The community offers a variety of attractions including Bull Foot Park, which was a supply depot for cowboys in years past, and the Sam & Burla Snyder Memorial History Center, which documents how pioneers survived and thrived in Oklahoma. Hennessey also features one-of-a-kind local highlights: Oklahoma's Largest Cowboy Hat (weighing 12,600 pounds), and Prairie Quilt, the largest quilt shop in the state.
Owasso
With a population of about 43,000 people, Owasso is a growing town but still maintains a safe, rural vibe. It has less than half the rate of aggravated assaults compared to Oklahoma as a whole and has had no reported homicides since 2023. Its name comes from the Osage word for "end of the trail," but there's plenty to see and do in this town. Enjoy a night of skating or laser tag at the 26,000 square foot Wheels and Thrills or go fishing and hiking at the Centennial Park, featuring a three mile walking trail and three fishing ponds. The Owasso Historical Museum is housed within a 1928 grocery store. Vistors can learn a lot about the history of the settlers and Native Americans who lived here. Lastly, Owasso has a lively food scene which you can try out at the S&B's Burger Joint or the Black Bear Diner.
Mustang
Home to a little over 25,000 people, Mustang has a lower aggravated assault rate than the state, currently sitting at 8.51 per 100,000 people compared to 21.42 in Oklahoma, and hasn't had any reported homicides since 2024. It also happens to be one of the fastest-growing cities in Canadian County with a rich history of agriculture, which is reflected in its many wonderful farms and markets like the Wildhorse Garden & Market and Buffalo Creek Berry Farm. At Wild Horse Park, there's plenty to do outdoors: hiking and biking trails alongside softball and soccer complexes. At the Mustang Historical Museum, you can see all the artifacts of early life here, like a scale model of a one-room schoolhouse, the original Mustang Jail and a baseball uniform worn by baseball star Clyde Elliott.
Weatherford
A must-stop destination on Route 66 is the bustling town of Weatherford. Home to Southwestern Oklahoma State University, it keeps jazz music alive with the annual SWOSU Jazz Festival each February. Weatherford has a safe college town vibe, with no homicides reported over the last five years and an aggravated assault rate consistently ranking below the national and state average. There are a number of artsy sites to see in Weatherford, like the Rt. 66 Spaceman (a 66 foot tall statue built in honor of Weatherford astronaut Thomas Stafford) and the Heartland of America Museum with more than 70 exhibits such as a 1930s bedroom, blacksmith shop, Route 66 diner, and more. Speaking of diners, Weatherford is known for classic American diners such as Jerry's Restaurant.
Alva
A treasure of northwestern Oklahoma, is about 30 miles west of the Great Salt Plains State Park. The park is named after a prehistoric ocean that once covered the area, which left behind a unique landscape dominated by salt flats and the saltwater Great Salt Plains Lake. This lake is a popular destination for fishing, especially for catfish, as well as for canoeing and kayaking. Visitors often enjoy outdoor activities on the lake and exploring the surrounding natural environment.
Alva is a relatively safe place to settle, with a low homicide rate and an overall lower average for aggravated assault compared to the U.S. It boasts the second oldest museum in Oklahoma at the 1902 NWOSU Museum of Natural History. Kids will enjoy Bradt's Menagerie, a family farm where you can interact with llamas, Indu-Brazilian steer, alpacas, and other creatures. Lastly, the town prides itself on having one of the best collections of pioneer artifacts and Native American art at the Cherokee Strip Museum.
A Safe Place to Settle
As you can see from this list, there are many small towns in Oklahoma that beat the crime average, while also providing lively little communities to settle in. You can enjoy classic American fare at diners in Weatherford, go boating in Alva, try out local farm goods in Mustang, or snap a picture by the largest cowboy hat in Hennessey. If you're looking for a safe place to settle, consider investigating these seven small Oklahoma communities further to see if they're the right fit for you and your family.
