The Best Home Security Systems in DeKalb County, AL
Are you looking for the best home security systems in DeKalb County, AL? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed DeKalb County, AL home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in DeKalb County every 5 hours 30 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. DeKalb County experiences 21.95 property crimes per 1000 people and 9.727 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 DeKalb County, AL
Best Overall
Ring
We believe Ring is the best home security system for renters. 30% of residents in DeKalb County rent rather than own their homes. Additionally, the median income is $44,366, much lower than the national average, therefore it is important that Ring is also affordable, with monitoring optional.
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.
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.
Do You Need a Home Security System in DeKalb County, AL?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in DeKalb County, AL. 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 DeKalb County, AL and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in DeKalb County, AL
Our analysis gives DeKalb County a property crime grade of: A-. DeKalb County is in the 23rd percentile of safety, meaning 23% of cities in Alabama are safer and 77% are more dangerous. Please visit our DeKalb County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the northeastern part of DeKalb County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 32. Compare this to the northwestern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 58.
A-
B+ |
|
A- |
|
Other Crime Grade |
B |
A crime occurs every 2 hours 59 minutes (on average) in DeKalb County, AL.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is DeKalb County safe? Compared to all of Alabama, DeKalb County is rated as safe as the average Alabama county, which has a property crime rate of 26.84 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where DeKalb County, with its burglary rate of 7.913 per 1000, is as safe as the average Alabama county.
In addition, DeKalb County is higher than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in DeKalb County, AL.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in DeKalb County, AL |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
12.77 |
925 |
17.8 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.198 |
87 |
1.7 |
Burglary |
7.913 |
573 |
11.0 |
Arson |
0.0745 |
5 |
0.1 |
Weather and Climate in DeKalb County, AL
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 DeKalb County, AL
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in DeKalb County, AL is 58.67 degrees, reaching 93.19 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 94.26 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in DeKalb County was built in 1984, which is newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Alabama build in 1987.
Between average seasonal temperatures and older homes in DeKalb 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 DeKalb County, AL
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 DeKalb County, AL
DeKalb County, AL reaches an average of 49.46 degrees in its cold months of January & December. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 56.36 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in DeKalb County is 39 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Alabama home that's 36 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 DeKalb 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 DeKalb County, AL
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your DeKalb 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 29.68% (21,256) of people in DeKalb County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 70.32% or 50,352 of DeKalb 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 93% of people who commute an average of 31 minutes to work in or around DeKalb 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 2% of DeKalb 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 DeKalb County tend to have a lower median household income than nearby counties, earning $44,366 annually. In addition, 14.0% 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 DeKalb County is $110,850. Compared to the median home value in Alabama of $185,232, 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 DeKalb County, AL
There are 25 police stations within the boundaries of DeKalb County, and 1 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the DeKalb County center, there are 123 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in DeKalb County may be about average. When response times are fairly typical, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Town Of Rainsville 42 Mccurdy Avenue South Rainsville, AL 35986 (256) 638-2157 rainsvillealabama.com |
County Of De Kalb 2801 Jordan Road Sw Fort Payne, AL 35968 (256) 845-3801 dekalbcountyal.us |
DE Kalb County Investigation 300 Grand Avenue Sw Fort Payne, AL 35967 (256) 845-8562 dekalbcountysheriff.org |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near DeKalb County, AL
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than DeKalb County, AL? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattooga County, GA | C | C | less safe |
| Marshall County, AL | C- | C+ | less safe |
| Gordon County, GA | B | B- | less safe |
| Morgan County, AL | B- | C | less safe |
| Pickens County, GA | C+ | B+ | less safe |
| Lawrence County, AL | A | B | more safe |
| Dawson County, GA | A- | A- | about as safe |
| Lumpkin County, GA | C+ | B- | less safe |
| Franklin County, AL | C | C+ | less safe |
| White County, GA | B | C+ | less safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to DeKalb County, AL
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than DeKalb County, AL? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natrona County, WY | A- | B | about as safe |
| Lonoke County, AR | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Lynchburg City, VA | C- | C | less safe |
| Manitowoc County, WI | B | B- | less safe |
| Marion County, OH | D | D | less safe |
| Marquette County, MI | C- | C- | less safe |
| Mason County, WA | D+ | C | less safe |
| Muskogee County, OK | D+ | D+ | less safe |
| Nacogdoches County, TX | B+ | B+ | about as safe |
| Livingston County, NY | B- | B | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in DeKalb County, AL
Deciding whether you need a home security system in DeKalb County, AL 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 DeKalb 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.
Ring, Vivint, and Simplisafe have emerged as the top choices for DeKalb 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 DeKalb County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 5 hours 30 minutes in DeKalb County.
- The county experiences 21.95 property crimes and 9.727 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- DeKalb County's property crime grade stands at an 'A-', comparably as safe as other Alabama {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Ring: We believe Ring is the best home security system for renters. 30% of residents in DeKalb County rent rather than own their homes. Additionally, the median income is $44,366, much lower than the national average, therefore it is important that Ring is also affordable, with monitoring optional.
- 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.
- 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.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 93.19 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & December temperatures averaging 49.46 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 29.68% of DeKalb County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 93% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering DeKalb County's lower household median income of $44,366 and 14.0% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- DeKalb County hosts 25 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.