The Best Home Security Systems in Durham County, NC
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Durham County, NC? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Durham County, NC home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Durham County every 25 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Durham County experiences 63.11 property crimes per 1000 people and 7.652 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 Durham County, NC
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Durham County. The combination of a high amount of renters (41%) and education level (51% 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.
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 Durham County, NC?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Durham County, NC. 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 Durham County, NC and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Durham County, NC
Our analysis gives Durham County a property crime grade of: F. Durham County is in the 98th percentile of safety, meaning 98% of cities in North Carolina are safer and 2% are more dangerous. Please visit our Durham County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southeastern part of Durham County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 3. Compare this to the northeastern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 61.
F
D |
|
F |
|
Other Crime Grade |
D+ |
A crime occurs every 20 minutes (on average) in Durham County, NC.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Durham County safe? Compared to all of North Carolina, Durham County is rated less safe than the average North Carolina county, which has a property crime rate of 37.26 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Durham County, with its burglary rate of 6.904 per 1000, is as safe as the average North Carolina county.
In addition, Durham County is higher than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Durham County, NC.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Durham County, NC |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
54.92 |
18,225 |
350.5 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.201 |
399 |
7.7 |
Burglary |
6.904 |
2,291 |
44.1 |
Arson |
0.0926 |
31 |
0.6 |
Weather and Climate in Durham County, NC
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 Durham County, NC
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Durham County, NC is 61.74 degrees, reaching 100.48 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 95.40 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Durham County was built in 1990, which is much newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in North Carolina build in 1989.
Between hotter seasonal temperatures and older homes in Durham 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 Durham County, NC
Durham County, NC gets an average rainfall of 1.5" per year. This is higher than the average of 1.2" for North Carolina.
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 Durham County, NC
Durham County, NC reaches an average of 52.23 degrees in its cold months of January & December. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 59.48 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Durham County is 33 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average North Carolina home that's 34 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 Durham 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 Durham County, NC
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Durham 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 40.88% (132,805) of people in Durham County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 59.12% or 192,028 of Durham 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 77% of people who commute an average of 28 minutes to work in or around Durham 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 11% of Durham 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 Durham County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $77,178 annually. In addition, 50.9% 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 Durham County is $268,335. Compared to the median home value in North Carolina of $226,477, 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 Durham County, NC
There are 24 police stations within the boundaries of Durham County, and 20 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Durham County center, there are 217 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Durham 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.
| County Of Durham 510 South Dillard St Floor 3 Durham, NC 27701 (919) 560-0853 |
Durham County Sheriff 326 East Main St Durham, NC 27701 (919) 560-0659 co.durham.nc.us |
Durham County Sheriff's Annex 326 East Main St Durham, NC 27701 (919) 560-7474 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Durham County, NC
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Durham County, NC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange County, NC | B- | B | more safe |
| Alamance County, NC | B+ | B- | more safe |
| Franklin County, NC | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Guilford County, NC | D+ | C- | more safe |
| Nash County, NC | C | C | more safe |
| Edgecombe County, NC | C | D+ | more safe |
| Davidson County, NC | C+ | B- | more safe |
| Davie County, NC | A+ | A | more safe |
| Martin County, NC | D+ | D+ | more safe |
| Bertie County, NC | D- | D- | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Durham County, NC
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Durham County, NC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset County, NJ | A | A | more safe |
| Chesterfield County, VA | B | B- | more safe |
| Clackamas County, OR | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Thurston County, WA | A- | D- | more safe |
| Collier County, FL | B | C | more safe |
| Cumberland County, NC | F | F | about as safe |
| Cumberland County, PA | C | B+ | more safe |
| Sussex County, DE | F | F | about as safe |
| Davis County, UT | A | A+ | more safe |
| Douglas County, CO | C- | B- | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Durham County, NC
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Durham County, NC 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 Durham 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 ADT have emerged as the top choices for Durham 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 Durham County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 25 minutes in Durham County.
- The county experiences 63.11 property crimes and 7.652 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Durham County's property crime grade stands at an 'F', comparably less safe than other North Carolina {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Durham County. The combination of a high amount of renters (41%) and education level (51% 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.
- 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 100.48 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & December temperatures averaging 52.23 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.5" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 33 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 40.88% of Durham County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 77% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Durham County's higher household median income of $77,178 and 50.9% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Durham County hosts 24 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.