Edmond and four other Oklahoma communities were named among the safest small towns in the U.S., according to a new study.

The study, conducted by Vivint, a home security system brand, used FBI property crime data from 2023 to determine which small towns were the safest. The company analyzed trends for property crime, larceny, motor vehicle theft and robbery for U.S. towns with populations of 50,000-100,000 residents.

Analysts ranked the towns by weighing each variable equally to determine which were the safest. Vivint’s list included 425 towns, shedding light on where safety is prioritized and the factors that make these towns stand out.

Here’s a breakdown of where Oklahoma towns ranked in the study and why, as well as a round-up of the top towns on the list and some tips from the company to protect your personal property.

What are the safest small towns in the U.S.? 

These 10 small towns were found the safest, according to Vivint. 

1. Columbus, Indiana 
2. Wheaton, Illinois 
3. Saratoga Springs, Utah 
4. Jacksonville, North Carolina 
5. Little Elm, Texas 
6. Sammamish, Washington 
7. Newton, Massachusetts 
8. Little Elm, Texas 
9. Yucaipa, California 
10. Chino Hills, California 

What Oklahoma towns are the safest? 

According to Vivint, Edmond was ranked as Oklahoma’s safest town and 132nd safest nationwide. The city has the fewest property crimes among Oklahoma cities on the list with a rate of 156.4 crimes per 10,000 residents. Edmond also has 129 larcenies, 9 vehicle thefts and 1.5 robberies per 10,000 residents, according to FBI data.

Second to Edmond, Moore also stood out among Oklahoma towns in the study with fewer larcenies (116.4) per 10,000 residents.

On the other side of the scale, Enid has the state’s highest rate of property crimes per 10K residents at 282.7, Midwest City has the highest rate of larceny at 192.5, and Lawton has the highest robbery rate at 7.1, according to study data.

For scale, the town ranked lowest in the list of safest towns was San Leandro, California. That community has 593.6 property crimes, 301 larcenies, 230 vehicle thefts and 43.5 robberies per 10,000 residents, according to study data.

Here’s a breakdown of how Oklahoma towns ranked on the list:

• 132. Edmond 
• 152. Moore 
• 251. Lawton 
• 260. Enid 
• 265. Midwest City

How to protect your personal property

Here are some practical tips from Vivint to help safeguard your belongings, whether you live in a safe small town or in more populated areas with a higher crime activity:

1. Install security cameras and alarms: Security systems act as both a deterrent and a means to gather evidence if a crime occurs. Smart cameras with motion detection and remote monitoring features can provide added peace of mind.
2. Lock your doors and windows: It may sound simple, but consistently locking all entry points, including car doors, can significantly reduce the risk of theft. Most property crimes are crimes of opportunity, and an unlocked door is an open invitation.
3. Keep valuables out of sight: Avoid leaving expensive items like electronics, jewelry, or shopping bags visible through windows in your home or car. Use blinds or curtains to obscure valuables in your home and store items in the trunk of your car when parked.
4. Light up your property: Motion-activated outdoor lighting can deter criminals by removing the cover of darkness. Well-lit properties are less attractive targets for burglars and thieves.
5. Get to know your neighbors: A strong community network can help prevent crime. Neighbors who look out for one another are more likely to spot and report suspicious activity, adding an extra layer of protection.