The Best Home Security Systems in Centre County, PA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Centre County, PA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Centre County, PA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Centre County every 1 hour 1 minute, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Centre County experiences 54.47 property crimes per 1000 people and 5.749 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 Centre County, PA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Centre County. The combination of a high amount of renters (33%) and education level (50% 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.
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 Centre County, PA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Centre County, PA. 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 Centre County, PA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Centre County, PA
Our analysis gives Centre County a property crime grade of: F. Centre County is in the 98th percentile of safety, meaning 98% of cities in Pennsylvania are safer and 2% are more dangerous. Please visit our Centre County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southern part of Centre County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 7. Compare this to the southeastern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 229.
F
D- |
|
F |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C- |
A crime occurs every 49 minutes (on average) in Centre County, PA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Centre County safe? Compared to all of Pennsylvania, Centre County is rated less safe than the average Pennsylvania county, which has a property crime rate of 16.10 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Centre County, with its burglary rate of 8.731 per 1000, is as safe as the average Pennsylvania county.
In addition, Centre County is higher than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Centre County, PA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Centre County, PA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
44.37 |
6,910 |
132.9 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.294 |
202 |
3.9 |
Burglary |
8.731 |
1,360 |
26.2 |
Arson |
0.0738 |
11 |
0.2 |
Weather and Climate in Centre County, PA
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 Centre County, PA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Centre County, PA is 47.72 degrees, reaching 83.91 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 79.18 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Centre County was built in 1982, which is newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Pennsylvania build in 1970.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and older homes in Centre 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 Centre County, PA
Centre County, PA gets an average rainfall of 0.4" per year. This is lower than the average of 1.2" for Pennsylvania.
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 Centre County, PA
Centre County, PA reaches an average of 29.40 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 37.53 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Centre County is 41 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Pennsylvania home that's 53 years old and 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 Centre 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 Centre County, PA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Centre 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 32.95% (52,111) of people in Centre County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 67.05% or 106,061 of Centre 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 71% of people who commute an average of 25 minutes to work in or around Centre 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 Centre 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 Centre County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $72,276 annually. In addition, 50.4% 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 Centre County is $271,711. Compared to the median home value in Pennsylvania of $222,630, 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 Centre County, PA
There are 26 police stations within the boundaries of Centre County, and 8 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Centre County center, there are 95 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Centre 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.
| State Police 301 Shiloh Road State College, PA 16801 (814) 863-4646 |
State Police 301 Shiloh Road State College, PA 16801 (814) 863-4646 |
Penn State University 417 Old Main University Park, PA 16802 (814) 865-9561 psu.edu |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Centre County, PA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Centre County, PA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearfield County, PA | B- | C+ | more safe |
| Snyder County, PA | D- | D- | more safe |
| Union County, PA | F | F | about as safe |
| Northumberland County, PA | D | D | more safe |
| Montour County, PA | A+ | A- | more safe |
| Schuylkill County, PA | D+ | D+ | more safe |
| Armstrong County, PA | C+ | C | more safe |
| Carbon County, PA | B | B- | more safe |
| Butler County, PA | A | A- | more safe |
| Lawrence County, PA | B- | B | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Centre County, PA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Centre County, PA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kings County, CA | D | F | more safe |
| Sandoval County, NM | B- | B+ | more safe |
| Indian River County, FL | B | A- | more safe |
| Johnson County, IA | B+ | A+ | more safe |
| Jackson County, MI | D+ | C | more safe |
| Stafford County, VA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Madera County, CA | C- | B | more safe |
| Martin County, FL | C | C+ | more safe |
| Maui County, HI | A+ | B+ | more safe |
| Merrimack County, NH | A | B | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Centre County, PA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Centre County, PA 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 Centre 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 ADT have emerged as the top choices for Centre 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 Centre County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 1 hour 1 minute in Centre County.
- The county experiences 54.47 property crimes and 5.749 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Centre County's property crime grade stands at an 'F', comparably less safe than other Pennsylvania {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Centre County. The combination of a high amount of renters (33%) and education level (50% 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.
- 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 83.91 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 29.40 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.4" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 41 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 32.95% of Centre County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 71% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Centre County's higher household median income of $72,276 and 50.4% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Centre County hosts 26 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.