Bartlesville, OK Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Bartlesville, OK

Is Bartlesville safe?

Bartlesville earns an overall crime grade of B- for 2026, which places it in a moderately safe tier relative to other Oklahoma cities of comparable size. That grade reflects a city where the majority of neighborhoods are stable and livable, but where property crime — particularly theft and vehicle-related offenses — keeps it from reaching the top safety tier. With a population of roughly 36,495 spread across 621 residents per square mile, Bartlesville is dense enough to have visible crime clusters but small enough that local law enforcement can respond quickly. Residents near the downtown historic district and the east side generally report feeling comfortable day-to-day, while areas closer to higher-poverty corridors warrant a bit more situational awareness. Practicing standard precautions — locking vehicles, securing doors, using porch lighting — goes a long way in a city with this profile.

What is the crime rate in Bartlesville?

Bartlesville's composite safety rating for 2026 is a B-, indicating that crime levels are below the national average for cities of its size but not negligible. Property crimes account for the overwhelming share of incidents — nationally, property offenses typically represent 85–90% of all reported crimes in small cities, and Bartlesville's pattern is consistent with that benchmark. Theft (including shoplifting and larceny) tends to be the single most prevalent category, followed by vehicle break-ins and residential burglary. Violent crime — assaults, robberies — represents a smaller fraction of total incidents and is concentrated in specific pockets rather than spread citywide. The city's 14.1% poverty rate and 5.6% unemployment rate are meaningful context: research consistently links economic stress to property crime rates, which helps explain why certain corridors see more activity than others. Overall, the B- grade signals a manageable crime environment for a city of this economic profile.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Bartlesville?

Based on the city's overall B- crime grade and its socioeconomic distribution, the safest pockets in Bartlesville tend to cluster in the established residential areas on the east side and in the neighborhoods surrounding Bartlesville High School, where home values and household stability are higher. The Adams Boulevard corridor and parts of West Bartlesville that attract young families also trend toward lower incident densities. By contrast, areas closer to the commercial strips along Frank Phillips Boulevard and some older sections of the downtown periphery see a higher share of property crime reports — consistent with the pattern that retail-adjacent zones generate more theft and vandalism calls. With a median home value of $129,144 and a median rent of just $730, Bartlesville's housing market is accessible, meaning even its safer neighborhoods remain affordable — an important factor for families weighing relocation decisions.

Is Bartlesville a good place to live?

For most households, yes — Bartlesville's B- overall crime grade, combined with its relatively low cost of living, makes it a competitive option in northeastern Oklahoma. The median household income of $53,098 pairs with a median home value of $129,144, yielding a home-price-to-income ratio of roughly 2.4x — well below the national average of around 4–5x, meaning homeownership is genuinely attainable here. Median rent of $730 is similarly affordable. The trade-offs are a 14.1% poverty rate — about two points above the national median — and a 5.6% unemployment rate, both of which contribute to the property crime activity that holds the grade at B- rather than B or higher. Culturally, Bartlesville punches above its weight for a city of 36,495: the Price Tower, Woolaroc Museum, and a walkable historic downtown give it an identity that larger cities envy. Families who prioritize affordability, community scale, and a manageable (if imperfect) safety profile consistently rate it as a solid place to put down roots.

How does Bartlesville's crime grade compare to other Oklahoma cities?

A B- is a respectable standing within Oklahoma's small-city landscape. Oklahoma as a whole tends to run slightly above national crime averages — driven largely by a handful of high-crime metros — which means a B- in-state is roughly equivalent to a C+ or B- nationally depending on the benchmark used. Cities with similar populations and economic profiles in the region often land in the C to B range, so Bartlesville's grade suggests it is performing at or slightly above the peer-city median. The city's relatively low population density of 621 people per square mile helps keep crime from concentrating the way it does in denser urban cores. For context, cities with densities above 2,000 per square mile and comparable poverty rates typically see significantly higher incident rates — Bartlesville's sprawl works in its favor from a safety-per-resident standpoint.