The Best Home Security Systems in Berkeley County, WV
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Berkeley County, WV? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Berkeley County, WV home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Berkeley County every 7 hours 9 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Berkeley County experiences 9.721 property crimes per 1000 people and 5.317 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 Berkeley County, WV
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Berkeley County. The combination of a high amount of renters (26%) and education level (25% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
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.
Best Reputation
ADT
Compelling history and top quality security and smart home products. If you're willing to pay for it, you will get a top notch product.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Berkeley County, WV?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Berkeley County, WV. 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 Berkeley County, WV and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Berkeley County, WV
Our analysis gives Berkeley County a property crime grade of: A+. Berkeley County is in the 4th percentile of safety, meaning 4% of cities in West Virginia are safer and 96% are more dangerous. Please visit our Berkeley County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the central part of Berkeley County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 63. Compare this to the northwestern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 148.
A+
A- |
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A+ |
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Other Crime Grade |
A |
A crime occurs every 3 hours 35 minutes (on average) in Berkeley County, WV.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Berkeley County safe? Compared to all of West Virginia, Berkeley County is rated as safe as the average West Virginia county, which has a property crime rate of 15.85 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Berkeley County, with its burglary rate of 2.176 per 1000, is as safe as the average West Virginia county.
In addition, Berkeley County is lower than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Berkeley County, WV.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Berkeley County, WV |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
7.129 |
898 |
17.3 |
Vehicle Theft |
0.3289 |
41 |
0.8 |
Burglary |
2.176 |
274 |
5.3 |
Arson |
0.0859 |
11 |
0.2 |
Weather and Climate in Berkeley County, WV
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 Berkeley County, WV
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Berkeley County, WV is 51.84 degrees, reaching 90.11 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 88.54 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Berkeley County was built in 1993, which is much newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in West Virginia build in 1977.
Between average seasonal temperatures and older homes in Berkeley 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 Berkeley County, WV
Berkeley County, WV gets an average rainfall of 1.3" per year. This is similar to the average of 1.4" for West Virginia.
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 Berkeley County, WV
Berkeley County, WV reaches an average of 38.02 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 49.29 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Berkeley County is 30 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average West Virginia home that's 46 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley County, WV
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Berkeley 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 25.57% (31,216) of people in Berkeley County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 74.43% or 90,860 of Berkeley 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 88% of people who commute an average of 36 minutes to work in or around Berkeley 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 5% of Berkeley 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 Berkeley County tend to have a lower median household income than nearby counties, earning $73,154 annually. In addition, 25.2% 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 Berkeley County is $200,196. Compared to the median home value in West Virginia of $138,399, your home value will probably be higher. 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 Berkeley County, WV
There are 24 police stations within the boundaries of Berkeley County, and 6 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Berkeley County center, there are 162 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Berkeley County may be faster. Even when response times are good, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Berkeley County Sheriff-Tax 400 West Stephen St # 209 Martinsburg, WV 25401 (304) 264-1982 berkeleycountycomm.org |
US Marshals Service 217 West King St Martinsburg, WV 25401 (304) 267-7179 usmarshals.gov |
Sheriff's Department 119 West King St Martinsburg, WV 25401 (304) 267-3001 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Berkeley County, WV
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Berkeley County, WV? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County, WV | A+ | A+ | about as safe |
| Morgan County, WV | B | B | less safe |
| Frederick County, MD | B+ | B+ | less safe |
| Hampshire County, WV | A- | A | less safe |
| Mineral County, WV | A- | B+ | less safe |
| Carroll County, MD | A- | A- | less safe |
| Garrett County, MD | C+ | C+ | less safe |
| Baltimore County, MD | C | B- | less safe |
| Baltimore City, MD | F | D- | less safe |
| Harford County, MD | A- | A- | less safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Berkeley County, WV
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Berkeley County, WV? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linn County, OR | A- | A | less safe |
| Cochise County, AZ | F | F | less safe |
| Strafford County, NH | D- | D- | less safe |
| Windham County, CT | B- | B+ | less safe |
| Jefferson County, NY | D | C- | less safe |
| Kennebec County, ME | B | C+ | less safe |
| La Crosse County, WI | F | F | less safe |
| Lycoming County, PA | F | D- | less safe |
| Missoula County, MT | C | B- | less safe |
| Morgan County, AL | B- | C | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Berkeley County, WV
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Berkeley County, WV 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 Berkeley 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, Vivint, and ADT have emerged as the top choices for Berkeley 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 Berkeley County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 7 hours 9 minutes in Berkeley County.
- The county experiences 9.721 property crimes and 5.317 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Berkeley County's property crime grade stands at an 'A+', comparably as safe as other West Virginia {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Berkeley County. The combination of a high amount of renters (26%) and education level (25% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top 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.
- ADT: Compelling history and top quality security and smart home products. If you're willing to pay for it, you will get a top notch product.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 90.11 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 38.02 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.3" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 30 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 25.57% of Berkeley County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 88% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Berkeley County's lower household median income of $73,154 and 25.2% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Berkeley County hosts 24 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.