| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Oakdale/100k people | Minnesota/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 548 | n/a (estimate) | 1,942 | 1,863 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 2.9 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 6 | n/a | 21.3 | 36.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 13 | n/a | 46.1 | 48.9 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 32 | n/a | 113.4 | 168.0 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 51 | n/a (estimate) | 181 | 257 | 359 |
| Burglary | 43 | n/a | 152.4 | 184.7 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 425 | n/a | 1,506.3 | 1,208.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 29 | n/a | 102.8 | 213.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 497 | n/a (estimate) | 1,762 | 1,606 | 1,760 |

The Oakdale crime rates are 8.4% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 51 violent crimes in Oakdale (181 per 100,000 people), which is 49.7% lower than the national average and there were a total of 497 property crimes (1762 per 100,000 residents) which is 0.1% higher than average.
When evaluating the Oakdale crime rate for every 100,000 residents, it positions itself in the middle range among all cities that reported crime. Our examination of total offenses, spanning both violent and property crimes, indicates that the reported Oakdale crime rates closely correspond to the national average reported by other regions.
In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Oakdale reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.
Oakdale has a property crime rate that closely mirrors the national average. There were a total of 1762 property crimes in Oakdale, while the national average was 1760 per 100,000 people. This results in the area being no safer or more dangerous than the average city.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Oakdale. Based on the results of the surveys (8 responses), 50% of people felt that there was very little crime in Oakdale and felt safe walking alone at night. While 50% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Oakdale, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Oakdale presents a total crime rate that is 8% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Oakdale experiences an average of 1.5 daily crimes, comprising 0.14 violent incidents and 1.36 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Oakdale. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Oakdale has decreased by 36.1%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 17.7%, while property crime has decreased by 37.5%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Oakdale.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Oakdale, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 3.5%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
Oakdale has a population density of 2614.2 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Oakdale crime rates.
Oakdale has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 1.43 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to 3.25 nationwide. Crime rates are profoundly influenced by the effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing endeavors. A resilient and cooperative partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, ultimately enhancing safety. The efficacy of law enforcement extends beyond mere numbers and extends into the realm of community policing strategies, emphasizing the cultivation of trust and collaboration between officers and the community. It is not merely a matter of quantity but the quality of engagement with the community that matters most.
| Item | Oakdale | Minnesota | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 40 | 7,759 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.4 | 1.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Minnesota /100K | National /100K |
| Minnesota | 1,283 | 26 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Birchwood Village, MN | 1,099 | 36 | 225 | 261 |
| Dellwood, MN | 1,339 | 36 | 225 | 261 |
| Somerset, WI | 2,931 | 91 | 183 | 274 |
| Lake St. Croix Beach, MN | 1,120 | 41 | 259 | 300 |
| North Hudson, WI | 3,906 | 51 | 281 | 332 |
| Afton, MN | 3,114 | 49 | 306 | 355 |
| Lakeland, MN | 1,779 | 52 | 324 | 376 |
| Oakdale, MN | 28,648 | 181 | 1,762 | 1,942 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Monroeville, PA | 28,652 | 123 | 2,418 | 2,540 |
| Lansing, IL | 28,675 | 392 | 1,838 | 2,230 |
| Windsor, CA | 28,616 | 234 | 733 | 966 |
| Danvers, MA | 28,614 | 137 | 1,480 | 1,618 |
| Yukon, OK | 28,599 | 168 | 1,186 | 1,355 |
| Oakdale, MN | 28,648 | 181 | 1,762 | 1,942 |