TPD debunks Tulsa's top-15 murder rate claim: 'Violent crime is down'

Tulsa police say the city’s homicide rate per capita is down this year — but it’s still large enough to potentially place Tulsa among the highest cities nationwide.

A recent article from Freedom for All Americans ranked Tulsa fifteenth among U.S. cities with the highest murder rates per capita. According to the Tulsa Police Department, that ranking isn’t accurate.

“People shouldn't get lax about it," said Captain Richard Meulenberg with TPD. “They should be aware about what's happening in their community. But the numbers support the fact that crime, violent crime is down not only here but across the country.”

Police say most homicides in Tulsa aren’t random either. They’re typically tied to gangs, drugs, domestic disputes, or other personal matters, and occur across the city rather than in a single “hot spot.”

The Actual Tulsa Homicide Numbers

1. 2025: 29 homicides (as of Aug.14)
2. 2024: 50 homicides
3. 2023: 48 homicides
4. 2022: 68 homicides
5. 2021: 62 homicides
6. 2020: 81 homicides

So far in 2025, police have counted 29 homicides — putting the city on pace for a total that would land below last year’s.

Despite the high ranking, Tulsa police point to a 100% homicide solve rate in recent years as proof of strong community cooperation.

How to Calculate Homicide Rates

Homicide rates per capita show the number of murders relative to a city’s population.

For example, in 2024:

1. Tulsa had 50 homicides last year
2. Population: 415,154
3. Homicide rate per 100,000 residents = (50 homicides ÷ 415,154 Tulsans) × 100,000 ≈ 12.04

Track Homicides in Tulsa

The Tulsa Police Department maintains a Homicide Tracker showing where violent crimes occur across the city. Residents can view updated information on the TPD website.