The Best Home Security Systems in Harford County, MD
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Harford County, MD? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Harford County, MD home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Harford County every 2 hours 21 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Harford County experiences 13.87 property crimes per 1000 people and 3.506 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 Harford County, MD
Best Overall
Vivint
We believe Vivint is the best home security system for home owners. 81% of residents in Harford County own their homes. The superior smart home functionality will also appeal to the predominently younger population in Harford County where the median age is 41.
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.
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 Harford County, MD?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Harford County, MD. 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 Harford County, MD and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Harford County, MD
Our analysis gives Harford County a property crime grade of: A-. Harford County is in the 22nd percentile of safety, meaning 22% of cities in Maryland are safer and 78% are more dangerous. Please visit our Harford 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 Harford County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 35. Compare this to the northwestern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 121.
A-
B+ |
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A- |
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Other Crime Grade |
A- |
A crime occurs every 1 hour 26 minutes (on average) in Harford County, MD.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Harford County safe? Compared to all of Maryland, Harford County is rated safer than the average Maryland county, which has a property crime rate of 31.29 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Harford County, with its burglary rate of 2.511 per 1000, is as safe as the average Maryland county.
In addition, Harford County is lower than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Harford County, MD.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Harford County, MD |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
10.27 |
2,753 |
52.9 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.069 |
287 |
5.5 |
Burglary |
2.511 |
673 |
12.9 |
Arson |
0.0139 |
4 |
0.1 |
Weather and Climate in Harford County, MD
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 Harford County, MD
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Harford County, MD is 54.93 degrees, reaching 92.97 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 86.02 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Harford County was built in 1986, which is much newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Maryland build in 1981.
Between average seasonal temperatures and older homes in Harford 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 Harford County, MD
Harford County, MD gets an average rainfall of 1.0" per year. This is higher than the average of 0.9" for Maryland.
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 Harford County, MD
Harford County, MD reaches an average of 41.42 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 47.26 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Harford County is 37 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Maryland home that's 42 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 Harford 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 Harford County, MD
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Harford 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 18.68% (48,739) of people in Harford County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 81.32% or 212,185 of Harford 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 87% of people who commute an average of 39 minutes to work in or around Harford 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 10% of Harford 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 Harford County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $106,983 annually. In addition, 38.5% 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 Harford County is $314,524. Compared to the median home value in Maryland of $357,815, 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 Harford County, MD
There are 48 police stations within the boundaries of Harford County, and 14 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Harford County center, there are 390 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Harford 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.
| Federal Bureau-Investigation 2107 Laurel Bush Road # 301 Bel Air, MD 21015 (410) 838-4349 ifccfbi.com |
County Of Harford 303 South Main St Bel Air, MD 21014 harfordcountymd.gov |
County Of Harford 303 South Main St Bel Air, MD 21014 harfordcountymd.gov |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Harford County, MD
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Harford County, MD? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cecil County, MD | B+ | B | less safe |
| Carroll County, MD | A- | A- | about as safe |
| New Castle County, DE | C+ | C+ | less safe |
| Salem County, NJ | B+ | B+ | about as safe |
| Frederick County, MD | B+ | B+ | about as safe |
| Cumberland County, NJ | F | F | less safe |
| Washington County, MD | F | F | less safe |
| Berkeley County, WV | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Atlantic County, NJ | C | C | less safe |
| Morgan County, WV | B | B | less safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Harford County, MD
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Harford County, MD? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trumbull County, OH | C- | C- | less safe |
| Brown County, WI | C- | B- | less safe |
| Buncombe County, NC | A | B+ | more safe |
| Butte County, CA | B | B | less safe |
| Washington County, PA | B+ | A- | about as safe |
| Caddo Parish, LA | C | C- | less safe |
| Calcasieu Parish, LA | B | B+ | less safe |
| Washington County, AR | B- | B | less safe |
| Warren County, OH | A | A+ | more safe |
| Union County, NC | A+ | A+ | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Harford County, MD
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Harford County, MD 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 Harford 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, ADT, and Simplisafe have emerged as the top choices for Harford 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 Harford County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 2 hours 21 minutes in Harford County.
- The county experiences 13.87 property crimes and 3.506 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Harford County's property crime grade stands at an 'A-', comparably safer than other Maryland {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Vivint: We believe Vivint is the best home security system for home owners. 81% of residents in Harford County own their homes. The superior smart home functionality will also appeal to the predominently younger population in Harford County where the median age is 41.
- 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.
- 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 92.97 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 41.42 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.0" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 37 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 18.68% of Harford County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 87% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Harford County's higher household median income of $106,983 and 38.5% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Harford County hosts 48 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.