The Best Home Security Systems in Champaign County, IL
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Champaign County, IL? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Champaign County, IL home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Champaign County every 1 hour 13 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Champaign County experiences 35.04 property crimes per 1000 people and 5.850 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 Champaign County, IL
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Champaign County. The combination of a high amount of renters (42%) and education level (49% 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 Champaign County, IL?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Champaign County, IL. 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 Champaign County, IL and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Champaign County, IL
Our analysis gives Champaign County a property crime grade of: F. Champaign County is in the 94th percentile of safety, meaning 94% of cities in Illinois are safer and 6% are more dangerous. Please visit our Champaign 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 Champaign County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 13. Compare this to the northwestern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 149.
D-
F |
|
F |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C+ |
A crime occurs every 49 minutes (on average) in Champaign County, IL.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Champaign County safe? Compared to all of Illinois, Champaign County is rated less safe than the average Illinois county, which has a property crime rate of 23.11 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Champaign County, with its burglary rate of 5.428 per 1000, is as safe as the average Illinois county.
In addition, Champaign County is higher than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Champaign County, IL.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Champaign County, IL |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
28.87 |
5,908 |
113.6 |
Vehicle Theft |
0.5098 |
104 |
2.0 |
Burglary |
5.428 |
1,111 |
21.4 |
Arson |
0.2360 |
48 |
0.9 |
Weather and Climate in Champaign County, IL
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 Champaign County, IL
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Champaign County, IL is 48.38 degrees, reaching 89.08 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 88.32 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Champaign County was built in 1984, which is newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Illinois build in 1973.
Between average seasonal temperatures and older homes in Champaign 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 Champaign County, IL
Champaign County, IL gets an average rainfall of 1.0" per year. This is similar to the average of 1.0" for Illinois.
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 Champaign County, IL
Champaign County, IL reaches an average of 27.73 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 36.70 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Champaign County is 39 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Illinois home that's 50 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 Champaign 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 Champaign County, IL
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Champaign 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 42.45% (87,395) of people in Champaign County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 57.55% or 118,470 of Champaign 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 73% of people who commute an average of 22 minutes to work in or around Champaign 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 9% of Champaign 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 Champaign County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $70,184 annually. In addition, 48.5% 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 Champaign County is $185,089. Compared to the median home value in Illinois of $242,002, 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 Champaign County, IL
There are 44 police stations within the boundaries of Champaign County, and 12 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Champaign County center, there are 139 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Champaign 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.
| Federal Bureau-Investigation 116 North Chestnut St # 240 Champaign, IL 61820 (217) 352-0411 ifccfbi.com |
Champaign City Police Department 82 East University Avenue Champaign, IL 61820 (217) 351-4545 ci.champaign.il.us |
Champaign City Police Department 82 East University Avenue Champaign, IL 61820 (217) 351-4545 ci.champaign.il.us |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Champaign County, IL
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Champaign County, IL? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piatt County, IL | A- | A- | more safe |
| Vermilion County, IL | C- | D | more safe |
| De Witt County, IL | A+ | A | more safe |
| Fountain County, IN | C | C | more safe |
| Logan County, IL | C+ | C | more safe |
| Montgomery County, IN | D+ | C- | more safe |
| Mason County, IL | C | C- | more safe |
| Clinton County, IN | B | C | more safe |
| Boone County, IN | A+ | A | more safe |
| Hamilton County, IN | A+ | B | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Champaign County, IL
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Champaign County, IL? |
|---|---|---|---|
| York County, ME | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Yolo County, CA | B- | C+ | more safe |
| Gloucester County, NJ | D+ | C+ | more safe |
| Lexington County, SC | F | F | about as safe |
| Leon County, FL | C- | C- | more safe |
| Lake County, OH | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Kitsap County, WA | D+ | C- | more safe |
| Kalamazoo County, MI | B | B | more safe |
| Johnston County, NC | B | A- | more safe |
| Jefferson County, MO | A+ | A+ | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Champaign County, IL
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Champaign County, IL 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 Champaign 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 Champaign 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 Champaign 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 13 minutes in Champaign County.
- The county experiences 35.04 property crimes and 5.850 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Champaign County's property crime grade stands at an 'F', comparably less safe than other Illinois {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Champaign County. The combination of a high amount of renters (42%) and education level (49% 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 89.08 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 27.73 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.0" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 39 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 42.45% of Champaign County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 73% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Champaign County's higher household median income of $70,184 and 48.5% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Champaign County hosts 44 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.