The Best Home Security Systems in Dakota County, MN
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Dakota County, MN? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Dakota County, MN home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Dakota County every 1 hour 41 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Dakota County experiences 11.40 property crimes per 1000 people and 5.176 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 Dakota County, MN
Best Overall
Vivint
We believe Vivint is the best home security system for home owners. 78% of residents in Dakota County own their homes. The superior smart home functionality will also appeal to the predominently younger population in Dakota County where the median age is 39.
No Contract Pick
Simplisafe
These guys offer the best all-round balance of equipment, monitoring, customer service, and price. They’re reliable and the keep your home safe—it’s a fairly comfortable #1 spot.
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 Dakota County, MN?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Dakota County, MN. 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 Dakota County, MN and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Dakota County, MN
Our analysis gives Dakota County a property crime grade of: A-. Dakota County is in the 19th percentile of safety, meaning 19% of cities in Minnesota are safer and 81% are more dangerous. Please visit our Dakota County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the western part of Dakota County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 71. Compare this to the southeastern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 124.
A
A |
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A- |
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Other Crime Grade |
A- |
A crime occurs every 58 minutes (on average) in Dakota County, MN.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Dakota County safe? Compared to all of Minnesota, Dakota County is rated as safe as the average Minnesota county, which has a property crime rate of 19.37 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Dakota County, with its burglary rate of 1.875 per 1000, is as safe as the average Minnesota county.
In addition, Dakota County is lower than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Dakota County, MN.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Dakota County, MN |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
8.377 |
3,823 |
73.5 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.120 |
511 |
9.8 |
Burglary |
1.875 |
856 |
16.5 |
Arson |
0.0303 |
14 |
0.3 |
Weather and Climate in Dakota County, MN
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 Dakota County, MN
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Dakota County, MN is 41.56 degrees, reaching 84.32 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 83.45 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Dakota County was built in 1987, which is much newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Minnesota build in 1980.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and older homes in Dakota 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 Dakota County, MN
Dakota County, MN gets an average rainfall of 0.8" per year. This is higher than the average of 0.5" for Minnesota.
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 Dakota County, MN
Dakota County, MN reaches an average of 16.48 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 23.84 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Dakota County is 36 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Minnesota home that's 43 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 Dakota 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 Dakota County, MN
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Dakota 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 22.01% (96,810) of people in Dakota County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 77.99% or 343,072 of Dakota 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 81% of people who commute an average of 30 minutes to work in or around Dakota 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 Dakota 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 Dakota County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $103,763 annually. In addition, 44.5% 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 Dakota County is $314,082. Compared to the median home value in Minnesota of $269,934, 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 Dakota County, MN
There are 27 police stations within the boundaries of Dakota County, and 5 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Dakota County center, there are 300 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Dakota 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.
| Rosemount City Hall 2875 145th St West Rosemount, MN 55068 (651) 423-4411 ci.rosemount.mn.us |
Apple Valley Police Department 7100 147th St West Saint Paul, MN 55124 (952) 953-2700 cityofapplevalley.org |
Eagan Police Department 3830 Pilot Knob Road Saint Paul, MN 55122 (651) 675-5700 cityofeagan.com |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Dakota County, MN
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Dakota County, MN? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scott County, MN | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Carver County, MN | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Pierce County, WI | A | A+ | about as safe |
| McLeod County, MN | C+ | B+ | less safe |
| Eau Claire County, WI | D | D+ | less safe |
| Renville County, MN | A- | B | about as safe |
| Clark County, WI | B+ | B- | about as safe |
| Yellow Medicine County, MN | D+ | D+ | less safe |
| Deuel County, SD | A | B | more safe |
| Hamlin County, SD | A+ | A+ | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Dakota County, MN
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Dakota County, MN? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada County, ID | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Washoe County, NV | A | A- | about as safe |
| Burlington County, NJ | B+ | D- | less safe |
| Camden County, NJ | B- | B | less safe |
| Spokane County, WA | C+ | C- | less safe |
| Richmond County, NY | A- | A+ | about as safe |
| Lehigh County, PA | B- | B- | less safe |
| Prince William County, VA | D- | D- | less safe |
| Polk County, IA | B- | B+ | less safe |
| Plymouth County, MA | A+ | A | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Dakota County, MN
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Dakota County, MN 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 Dakota 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.
Vivint, Simplisafe, and ADT have emerged as the top choices for Dakota 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 Dakota 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 41 minutes in Dakota County.
- The county experiences 11.40 property crimes and 5.176 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Dakota County's property crime grade stands at an 'A-', comparably as safe as other Minnesota {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Vivint: We believe Vivint is the best home security system for home owners. 78% of residents in Dakota County own their homes. The superior smart home functionality will also appeal to the predominently younger population in Dakota County where the median age is 39.
- Simplisafe: These guys offer the best all-round balance of equipment, monitoring, customer service, and price. They’re reliable and the keep your home safe—it’s a fairly comfortable #1 spot.
- 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 84.32 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 16.48 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.8" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 36 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 22.01% of Dakota County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 81% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Dakota County's higher household median income of $103,763 and 44.5% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Dakota County hosts 27 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.