The Best Home Security Systems in Alachua County, FL
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Alachua County, FL? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Alachua County, FL home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Alachua County every 10 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Alachua County experiences 174.0 property crimes per 1000 people and 12.62 incidents of vandalism per 1000 people in the typical year. A home security system will protect you when you’re at home or away, 24 hours a day.
Home Security Companies Available in Alachua County, FL
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Alachua County. The combination of a high amount of renters (45%) and education level (47% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
Affordable Option
Ring
Ring Alarm is a disrupter whose incredibly low monitoring fees (as low as 1/10th the price of larger and better-known companies) and sharp equipment has already made them a household name.
Upgrade Pick
Vivint
Vivint doesn't seem to care about competitive prices; just quality. Their bespoke whole-house systems combine strict security with cutting-edge technology and full-scale home automation, making up the complete package.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Alachua County, FL?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Alachua County, FL. We’ll compare different crime rates and weather along with advanced features that make you feel safer and make your life easier.
Why Crime Grade?
Crime Grade has the most robust and accurate nationwide crime model available. In addition, our data is granular enough to identify and compare crime statistics to the neighborhood level. This puts us in the unique position of being able to evaluate the home security needs of people in a particular county rather than making a general assessment. So read on to see what's unique about Alachua County, FL and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Alachua County, FL
Our analysis gives Alachua County a property crime grade of: F. Alachua County is in the 98th percentile of safety, meaning 98% of cities in Florida are safer and 2% are more dangerous. Please visit our Alachua County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the eastern part of Alachua County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 0. Compare this to the western part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 269.
F
D |
|
F |
|
Other Crime Grade |
D- |
A crime occurs every 9 minutes (on average) in Alachua County, FL.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Alachua County safe? Compared to all of Florida, Alachua County is rated less safe than the average Florida county, which has a property crime rate of 24.76 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Alachua County, with its burglary rate of 4.917 per 1000, is as safe as the average Florida county.
In addition, Alachua County is higher than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Alachua County, FL.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Alachua County, FL |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
168.3 |
48,546 |
933.6 |
Vehicle Theft |
0.5418 |
156 |
3.0 |
Burglary |
4.917 |
1,419 |
27.3 |
Arson |
0.2606 |
75 |
1.4 |
Weather and Climate in Alachua County, FL
As strange as it might sound, some home security system features can be more or less important based on the climate you live in.
Home Security Fire Sensors in Alachua County, FL
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Alachua County, FL is 70.19 degrees, reaching 102.45 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 100.42 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Alachua County was built in 1988, which is much newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Florida build in 1989.
Between hotter seasonal temperatures and older homes in Alachua County, you can judge how important fire sensors and immediate response may be. A combination of smoke detectors, CO2 sensors, and fire alarms connected to a home security system can make that response as swift as possible, whether you’re at work or on vacation.
Home Security Flood Sensors in Alachua County, FL
Alachua County, FL gets an average rainfall of 1.7" per year. This is higher than the average of 1.5" for Florida.
With the risk of flooding and burst pipes, a flood sensor can alert you and authorities as soon as possible. Even a few hours make the difference between an easy restoration and long-term water damage.
Home Security Freeze Sensors in Alachua County, FL
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Alachua County is 35 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Florida home that's 34 years old and much less time than the national average of a 45-year-old home.
Temperature fluctuations will weaken the structure and foundation of the home, cold temperatures can cause pipes to leak or burst, and if it snows that can cause additional stress on the roof. However, freeze sensors are not an expensive addon. After assessing your Alachua County home, you can make a more informed decision if they would be a suitable addition to your home security system.
Cost of Home Security Systems in Alachua County, FL
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Alachua County home, we must determine some of your preferences.
Self-Monitored or Professionally Monitored?
Any home security system you pick will offer a selection of equipment including entry sensors, cameras, etc. The question is, do you actually want to self-monitor your system? If like 44.69% (124,438) of people in Alachua County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 55.31% or 154,030 of Alachua County residents own their homes and may be more likely to consider a professionally monitored system to protect their property.
Whether you rent or buy, how well can you monitor your system on your own? For example, if you're one of the 79% of people who commute an average of 27 minutes to work in or around Alachua County, can you immediately receive notifications on your phone, check cameras in meetings or while working, and call the police if needed?
If not, you might want a professionally monitored system where a company is available 24/7 to respond, whether on vacation or at work. Please see our comprehensive guide on the best home security systems for a complete comparison.
Self-Installed vs. Professional Installation
Most providers have great self-installation options, so if you're handy or tech-savvy, like the 8% of Alachua County residents working in computer engineering and science, self-installation can be a great option.
Alternatively, when your security system is installed professionally, you can ensure that your equipment is placed correctly and will function without any problems. That peace of mind is valuable for people willing to spend the extra money.
Residents of Alachua County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $60,804 annually. In addition, 46.6% of residents have a college degree or higher, compared to 32.9% in the United States.
If you're a homeowner, do you have more to protect? The median home value in Alachua County is $207,668. Compared to the median home value in Florida of $278,762, your home value will probably be lower. With their larger lots, single-family homes tend to be more isolated from view and a tempting target for burglars.
Find an in-depth review of installation options in our best home security systems guide.
Police Stations Near Alachua County, FL
There are 99 police stations within the boundaries of Alachua County, and 38 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Alachua County center, there are 142 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Alachua County may be much faster. Even when response times are great, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Florida Department Of Law Enforcement 4131 Nw 28th Lane # 4 Gainesville, FL 32606 (352) 955-2130 |
Florida Department Of Highway Safety And Motor Vehicles 4210 Nw 37th Place # 400 Gainesville, FL 32606 |
County Of Alachua 748 Queens Road Gainesville, FL 32607 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Alachua County, FL
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Alachua County, FL? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union County, FL | F | D- | about as safe |
| Gilchrist County, FL | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Bradford County, FL | D | D+ | more safe |
| Levy County, FL | B- | A | more safe |
| Columbia County, FL | C | B- | more safe |
| Marion County, FL | D | B- | more safe |
| Dixie County, FL | B- | B | more safe |
| Putnam County, FL | B- | B- | more safe |
| Clay County, FL | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Lafayette County, FL | D+ | D- | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Alachua County, FL
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Alachua County, FL? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yuma County, AZ | B+ | B+ | more safe |
| Weber County, UT | B+ | B- | more safe |
| Mohave County, AZ | A | A+ | more safe |
| Santa Cruz County, CA | B- | A | more safe |
| Anoka County, MN | C+ | C+ | more safe |
| San Luis Obispo County, CA | B- | B- | more safe |
| Yolo County, CA | B- | C+ | more safe |
| Davis County, UT | A | A+ | more safe |
| Horry County, SC | B | B+ | more safe |
| Marin County, CA | C | B | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Alachua County, FL
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Alachua County, FL can be a complicated decision. We've used distrinctive property crime statistics and varying environment factors about the county to help us make an objective recommendation for most residents. Leveraging CrimeGrade.org's uniquely robust and granular crime data, we've scrutinized the options for home security systems, tailoring them to the unique needs and context of Alachua County residents.
Combining the property crime Grades, demographic information, and local climate conditions for advanced home security features gives us some companies that stand out.
Simplisafe, Ring, and Vivint have emerged as the top choices for Alachua County residents due to their distinctive offerings and reliability, each appealing to varied preferences and budget ranges of homeowners and renters alike. Notably, factors such as Alachua County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 10 minutes in Alachua County.
- The county experiences 174.0 property crimes and 12.62 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Alachua County's property crime grade stands at an 'F', comparably less safe than other Florida {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Alachua County. The combination of a high amount of renters (45%) and education level (47% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
- Ring: Ring Alarm is a disrupter whose incredibly low monitoring fees (as low as 1/10th the price of larger and better-known companies) and sharp equipment has already made them a household name.
- Vivint: Vivint doesn't seem to care about competitive prices; just quality. Their bespoke whole-house systems combine strict security with cutting-edge technology and full-scale home automation, making up the complete package.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 102.45 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.7" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 35 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 44.69% of Alachua County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 79% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Alachua County's higher household median income of $60,804 and 46.6% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Alachua County hosts 99 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.