Is Okmulgee Safe, Pros and cons of living in Okmulgee
Okmulgee, Oklahoma, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and a developing economic landscape. Situated in the heart of Oklahoma, this city provides a distinct living experience for its residents. Understanding the various facets of life in Okmulgee is crucial for anyone considering a move to this community.
This guide explores Okmulgee’s safety, cost of living, job market, climate, education, and demographics. By delving into these aspects, prospective residents can gain a comprehensive understanding of what Okmulgee has to offer. The aim is to provide practical insights for making an informed decision about settling in this Oklahoma city.
Is it Safe to Live in Okmulgee?
Okmulgee faces challenges with crime rates that are higher than both state and national averages. The city has an overall crime rate that is 70% higher than the national average (according to AreaVibes). This translates to approximately 1.13 daily crime occurrences, with a portion being violent crimes and the majority being property crimes.
Within Okmulgee, violent crimes are reported at a rate of 395 per 100,000 individuals, which is 9.9% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Property crimes are significantly more prevalent, with a rate of 3218 per 100,000 residents, standing 82.8% higher than the U.S. average (according to AreaVibes). This means you have a 1 in 28 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Okmulgee (as reported by AreaVibes).
Looking at Okmulgee County, the overall crime rate was 4,103 incidents per 100,000 people in 2022. This is lower than the Oklahoma state average but higher than the national average for the same year (according to Map AI). The county has seen a decrease in its crime rate over recent years, even as state and national averages have risen (as reported by Map AI).
Cost of Living
Okmulgee stands out for its affordability, with a cost of living index around 79, making it approximately 21% lower than the national average (as stated by Choose Okmulgee). This lower cost extends to various aspects of daily life, including groceries, transportation, healthcare, and utilities.
Housing is a significant factor in Okmulgee’s affordability. The median home value in Okmulgee County is approximately $125,000, which is considerably lower than the statewide median of $215,000 and the national median exceeding $400,000 (as reported by Choose Okmulgee). Renters also benefit from lower prices compared to larger cities in Oklahoma and across the U.S.
Overall, Okmulgee’s cost of living is 26% lower than the national average, according to Payscale. Housing expenses are notably lower, at 65% below the national average. Transportation costs are also reduced, being 12% lower than the national average, while grocery prices are 5% lower (as reported by Payscale).
Housing Market
The housing market in Okmulgee presents attractive opportunities for both buyers and renters. As of March 31, 2026, the average home value in Okmulgee was $106,354, showing a slight decrease of 7.7% over the past year (according to Zillow). The median list price for homes in Okmulgee was $156,317 as of the same date (as reported by Zillow).
For renters, the market offers various options. While Zillow did not provide an average rent figure for Okmulgee as of March 31, 2026, other sources indicate a median rent of $1,050 per month for all bedroom counts and property types as of May 3, 2026 (according to Zillow Rentals). This is substantially lower than the national average rent.
Okmulgee County’s housing market shows a median listing price of $149,300, with a median rent of $1,000 per month (as reported by Realtor.com® Research). Within the city of Okmulgee specifically, the median listing price for homes is $139,900, with a median monthly rent of $1,000 (as per Realtor.com® Research).
Job Market and Economy
Okmulgee’s economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, with manufacturing, healthcare, retail trade, and educational services being prominent sectors (as noted by Data USA and Wikipedia). The city has a notable manufacturing base for its size, with several companies that are leaders in their respective fields and ship products globally (as stated by Choose Okmulgee).
Major employers in the Okmulgee area include the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Ardent Health Services (operating Hillcrest Hospital in Henryetta and The Creek Nation Community Hospital in Okmulgee), Paccar Winch-Okmulgee, and Tate & Lyle, PLC (according to Wikipedia and Choose Okmulgee). These employers contribute significantly to the local employment landscape.
The employment rate in Okmulgee has seen growth, with employment increasing by 2.83% from 2023 to 2024, reaching approximately 4,177 employed individuals (as reported by Data USA). The average salary in Okmulgee is around $41,900 per year, with a median wage of $41,848 (as per Data USA and ZipRecruiter). The unemployment rate for Okmulgee County was last reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, though specific recent figures require direct consultation of FRED data.
Climate
Okmulgee experiences a climate characterized by hot, muggy summers and very cold, windy winters, with partly cloudy conditions throughout the year (as described by Weatherspark). The temperature typically ranges from 31°F to 94°F, rarely dropping below 17°F or exceeding 103°F (as per Weatherspark).
The hot season generally lasts for about 3.2 months, from early June to mid-September, with average daily high temperatures above 86°F. July is the hottest month, with average highs around 94°F and lows of 72°F (as reported by Weatherspark). Conversely, the cold season spans roughly 3.0 months, from late November to late February, with average daily high temperatures below 59°F.
January is the coldest month, with average lows of 31°F and highs of 51°F (as stated by Weatherspark). Precipitation levels vary throughout the year, with the best time for hot-weather activities typically falling between mid-June and early September, peaking in early July (as per Weatherspark).
Education
The Okmulgee Public School District serves the educational needs of the city’s younger population. The district has an overall Niche grade of C minus, with specific grades for various aspects like diversity (A minus), teachers (C plus), and academics (D plus) (as reported by Niche). The district has approximately 1,077 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18 to 1.
State test scores indicate that about 13% of students are proficient in math and 27% in reading within the Okmulgee Public Schools district (as per Niche). Okmulgee High School itself has a C minus rating, with state test scores showing 0% proficiency in math and 11% in reading (as reported by Niche).
For higher education, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSU-IT) is located in Okmulgee, offering a range of associate and bachelor’s degrees. In 2023, Okmulgee-based universities awarded 969 degrees, with OSU-IT being the largest institution (as noted by Data USA).
Demographics
Okmulgee has a population of approximately 11,348 residents, reflecting a slight increase since the 2020 Census (as per Data USA and Census Dots). The city’s population is diverse, with White residents forming the largest group at approximately 51.8% (as reported by Census Dots). Other significant demographic groups include American Indian/Alaska Native, Black or African American, and multiracial individuals.
The median age in Okmulgee is around 37.4 years (as per Data USA and FRED). The population is distributed across age groups, with roughly 17.2% being children under 15, and about 16.6% being 65 or older (as stated by Point2Homes). The gender distribution shows slightly more females than males, with about 51.4% female and 48.6% male (as per Point2Homes).
Citizenship in Okmulgee is high, with 99.5% of residents being U.S. citizens, which is above the national average (as reported by Data USA). The median household income in Okmulgee was approximately $41,848 in 2024, showing growth from the previous year (as per Data USA). The poverty rate is around 20.6% (as reported by Data USA).