Altus, OK Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Altus, OK

What is Altus's overall crime grade and what does it mean?

Altus, Oklahoma receives an overall crime grade of C for 2026. A C grade places the city in the middle tier of safety — not among the most dangerous communities in the state, but with room for meaningful improvement. For a city of roughly 18,533 residents spread across a population density of about 392 people per square mile, a C grade signals that both property and violent crime occur at rates that residents should be aware of, though the majority of neighborhoods remain livable and relatively stable day to day.

What types of crime are most common in Altus?

Property crimes consistently represent the largest share of reported incidents in Altus. Theft — including vehicle break-ins and shoplifting — accounts for the bulk of cases, which is typical for a city with commercial corridors and a median household income of $47,990. Violent crimes such as assault occur less frequently but are not negligible, particularly in areas with higher poverty concentration. With a citywide poverty rate of 17%, economic stress is a documented driver of certain crime categories. Drug-related offenses also contribute to the overall incident count, often intersecting with both property and violent crime statistics.

Is Altus safe to live in?

Safety in Altus is highly dependent on the specific area and time of day. The city's C crime grade reflects a mixed picture: many residential pockets — particularly those near Altus Air Force Base and well-maintained suburban corridors like Highland Park — report fewer incidents and stronger community cohesion. The city's unemployment rate of just 3.9% is a positive indicator, as lower unemployment generally correlates with reduced property crime. However, the 17% poverty rate creates pockets of elevated risk, especially in denser residential areas. Families and retirees who research neighborhood-level data on the Altus crime map before choosing a home tend to find areas that comfortably outperform the city's overall C average.

How does Altus's crime rate compare to similarly sized Oklahoma cities?

Among Oklahoma cities in the 15,000–25,000 population range, Altus's C grade places it roughly at the midpoint. Its median rent of $732 and median home value of approximately $100,796 are on the lower end of the state spectrum, which can attract residents but also correlates with tighter household budgets and the economic pressures that accompany a 17% poverty rate. Cities with comparable demographics and stronger safety grades typically have poverty rates closer to 10–12%, suggesting that economic investment and poverty-reduction initiatives could meaningfully improve Altus's standing over time.

Which areas of Altus tend to have lower crime activity?

Based on community reputation and proximity to stabilizing institutions, neighborhoods near Altus Air Force Base — including the Pine Street corridor — tend to be better maintained and report fewer incidents. The Highland Park area and neighborhoods adjacent to city parks also carry a reputation for lower crime activity and stronger neighborhood watch participation. These areas benefit from higher owner-occupancy rates and more active community engagement, both of which are strongly associated with reduced property crime. Using the interactive Altus crime map to filter by incident type and date range can help you pinpoint which specific blocks within these neighborhoods have the cleanest recent records.

What do Altus's economic indicators tell us about crime risk?

Economic data provides important context for interpreting Altus's C crime grade. The median household income of $47,990 sits below the Oklahoma state median, and a poverty rate of 17% means roughly one in six residents lives below the federal poverty line — a ratio that research consistently links to elevated property crime rates. On the positive side, a 3.9% unemployment rate signals that jobs are available, which acts as a stabilizing force. Median rent of $732 keeps housing accessible, reducing the housing instability that can contribute to crime. Together, these indicators suggest that Altus's crime challenges are real but not intractable, and that economic conditions are neither at crisis levels nor particularly strong.

How can residents use the Altus crime map effectively?

The crime map is most useful when you go beyond a single snapshot. Filter by crime type to separate property incidents — which dominate Altus's overall numbers — from violent offenses, which are far less frequent but more geographically concentrated. Use the time-range filter to identify whether a particular area has seen a spike in recent months or whether incidents are spread evenly over the year. Heat map overlays are especially useful for quickly spotting commercial zones with elevated theft activity versus quieter residential blocks. For the most authoritative data, cross-reference the map with the Altus Police Department's official reports, which include verified incident counts by category.