The Best Home Security Systems in Des Moines County, IA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Des Moines County, IA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Des Moines County, IA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Des Moines County every 10 hours 5 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Des Moines County experiences 22.17 property crimes per 1000 people and 7.091 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 Des Moines County, IA
Best Overall
Ring
We believe Ring is the best home security system for renters. 23% of residents in Des Moines County rent rather than own their homes. Additionally, the median income is $55,072, 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 Des Moines County, IA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Des Moines County, IA. 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 Des Moines County, IA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Des Moines County, IA
Our analysis gives Des Moines County a property crime grade of: D+. Des Moines County is in the 73rd percentile of safety, meaning 73% of cities in Iowa are safer and 27% are more dangerous. Please visit our Des Moines County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the eastern part of Des Moines County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 22. Compare this to the northeastern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 104.
D
F |
|
D+ |
|
Other Crime Grade |
D+ |
A crime occurs every 6 hours 5 minutes (on average) in Des Moines County, IA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Des Moines County safe? Compared to all of Iowa, Des Moines County is rated as safe as the average Iowa county, which has a property crime rate of 17.97 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Des Moines County, with its burglary rate of 4.938 per 1000, is as safe as the average Iowa county.
In addition, Des Moines County is higher than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Des Moines County, IA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Des Moines County, IA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
15.80 |
618 |
11.9 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.364 |
53 |
1.0 |
Burglary |
4.938 |
193 |
3.7 |
Arson |
0.0653 |
3 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in Des Moines County, IA
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 Des Moines County, IA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Des Moines County, IA is 46.87 degrees, reaching 87.45 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 Des Moines County was built in 1964, which is much older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Iowa build in 1974.
Between average seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Des Moines 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 Des Moines County, IA
Des Moines County, IA gets an average rainfall of 0.9" per year. This is higher than the average of 0.6" for Iowa.
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 Des Moines County, IA
Des Moines County, IA reaches an average of 25.85 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 35.89 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Des Moines County is 59 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Iowa home that's 49 years old and much more 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines County, IA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Des Moines 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 23.29% (9,063) of people in Des Moines County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 76.71% or 29,847 of Des Moines 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 91% of people who commute an average of 19 minutes to work in or around Des Moines 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 4% of Des Moines 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 Des Moines County tend to have a lower median household income than nearby counties, earning $55,072 annually. In addition, 22.8% 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 Des Moines County is $135,394. Compared to the median home value in Iowa of $182,666, 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 Des Moines County, IA
There are 12 police stations within the boundaries of Des Moines County, and 10 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Des Moines County center, there are 112 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Des Moines 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.
| Sheriff Department Jail 3630 Bauer Drive Burlington, IA 52601 (319) 753-8275 |
Burlington Crime Alert 424 North 3rd St Burlington, IA 52601 (319) 753-8366 burlingtoniowa.org |
Crime Stoppers Greater 424 North 3rd St Burlington, IA 52601 (319) 753-6835 burlingtoniowa.org |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Des Moines County, IA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Des Moines County, IA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson County, IL | F | F | less safe |
| Henry County, IA | A | A+ | more safe |
| Warren County, IL | D | D | about as safe |
| Van Buren County, IA | B+ | B | more safe |
| Knox County, IL | D+ | D | about as safe |
| Davis County, IA | C- | C | more safe |
| Peoria County, IL | B+ | A- | more safe |
| Appanoose County, IA | B | B+ | more safe |
| Woodford County, IL | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Wayne County, IA | C | C+ | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Des Moines County, IA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Des Moines County, IA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County, WA | B- | B- | more safe |
| Noble County, IN | A | B+ | more safe |
| Laclede County, MO | B- | B- | more safe |
| Accomack County, VA | D+ | D | about as safe |
| Knox County, IN | D | D | about as safe |
| Kittitas County, WA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Kendall County, TX | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Kandiyohi County, MN | C | C+ | more safe |
| Juneau City and Borough, AK | B+ | A | more safe |
| Juana Diaz Municipio, PR | C | D+ | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Des Moines County, IA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Des Moines County, IA 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 10 hours 5 minutes in Des Moines County.
- The county experiences 22.17 property crimes and 7.091 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Des Moines County's property crime grade stands at an 'D+', comparably as safe as other Iowa {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Ring: We believe Ring is the best home security system for renters. 23% of residents in Des Moines County rent rather than own their homes. Additionally, the median income is $55,072, 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 87.45 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 25.85 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.9" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 59 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 23.29% of Des Moines County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 91% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Des Moines County's lower household median income of $55,072 and 22.8% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Des Moines County hosts 12 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.