The Best Home Security Systems in Dane County, WI
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Dane County, WI? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Dane County, WI home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Dane County every 23 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Dane County experiences 37.72 property crimes per 1000 people and 5.960 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 Dane County, WI
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Dane County. The combination of a high amount of renters (39%) and education level (52% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
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.
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.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Dane County, WI?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Dane County, WI. 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 Dane County, WI and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Dane County, WI
Our analysis gives Dane County a property crime grade of: F. Dane County is in the 99th percentile of safety, meaning 100% of cities in Wisconsin are safer and 0% are more dangerous. Please visit our Dane 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 Dane County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 8. Compare this to the northwestern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 105.
F
D+ |
|
F |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C |
A crime occurs every 15 minutes (on average) in Dane County, WI.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Dane County safe? Compared to all of Wisconsin, Dane County is rated less safe than the average Wisconsin county, which has a property crime rate of 16.76 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Dane County, with its burglary rate of 3.965 per 1000, is as safe as the average Wisconsin county.
In addition, Dane County is higher than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Dane County, WI.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Dane County, WI |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
32.35 |
18,816 |
361.9 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.393 |
810 |
15.6 |
Burglary |
3.965 |
2,306 |
44.3 |
Arson |
0.0099 |
6 |
0.1 |
Weather and Climate in Dane County, WI
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 Dane County, WI
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Dane County, WI is 43.25 degrees, reaching 84.43 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 84.13 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Dane County was built in 1984, which is newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Wisconsin build in 1977.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and older homes in Dane 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 Dane County, WI
Dane County, WI gets an average rainfall of 1.3" per year. This is higher than the average of 0.6" for Wisconsin.
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 Dane County, WI
Dane County, WI reaches an average of 21.82 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 28.11 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Dane County is 39 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Wisconsin home that's 46 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 Dane 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 Dane County, WI
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Dane 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 39.20% (220,098) of people in Dane County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 60.80% or 341,406 of Dane 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 76% of people who commute an average of 26 minutes to work in or around Dane 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 13% of Dane 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 Dane County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $86,585 annually. In addition, 52.5% 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 Dane County is $322,064. Compared to the median home value in Wisconsin of $220,185, 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 Dane County, WI
There are 117 police stations within the boundaries of Dane County, and 41 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Dane County center, there are 195 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Dane 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.
| US Border Patrol 22 North Carroll St Madison, WI 53703 (608) 204-6155 |
US Border Patrol 22 North Carroll St Madison, WI 53703 (608) 204-6155 |
US Secret Service 660 West Washington Avenue # 305 Madison, WI 53703 (608) 264-5191 secretservice.gov |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Dane County, WI
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Dane County, WI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County, WI | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Iowa County, WI | A- | A- | more safe |
| Waukesha County, WI | A | A- | more safe |
| Milwaukee County, WI | D | D+ | more safe |
| Crawford County, WI | B | A | more safe |
| Chickasaw County, IA | F | F | about as safe |
| Floyd County, IA | A+ | A | more safe |
| Ottawa County, MI | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Kent County, MI | B+ | A- | more safe |
| Cerro Gordo County, IA | D+ | D | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Dane County, WI
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Dane County, WI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamson County, TX | A | A+ | more safe |
| Providence County, RI | D+ | D+ | more safe |
| Stanislaus County, CA | F | D- | about as safe |
| Delaware County, PA | C | C+ | more safe |
| Volusia County, FL | B- | A- | more safe |
| Washington County, OR | A- | A- | more safe |
| Bucks County, PA | A- | A | more safe |
| Brevard County, FL | A | A | more safe |
| Baltimore City, MD | F | D- | about as safe |
| Arapahoe County, CO | C+ | B+ | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Dane County, WI
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Dane County, WI 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 Dane 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, ADT, and Ring have emerged as the top choices for Dane 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 Dane County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 23 minutes in Dane County.
- The county experiences 37.72 property crimes and 5.960 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Dane County's property crime grade stands at an 'F', comparably less safe than other Wisconsin {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Dane County. The combination of a high amount of renters (39%) and education level (52% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
- 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.
- 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.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 84.43 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 21.82 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.3" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 39 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 39.20% of Dane County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 76% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Dane County's higher household median income of $86,585 and 52.5% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Dane County hosts 117 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.