The Best Home Security Systems in Highlands County, FL
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Highlands County, FL? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Highlands County, FL home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Highlands County every 8 hours 12 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Highlands County experiences 10.78 property crimes per 1000 people and 6.003 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 Highlands County, FL
Best Overall
ADT
We believe ADT is the best home security system for residents of Highlands County. A higher median income of $47,668 along with an aging population (the median age in Highlands County is 55) solidifies ADT as our recommendation.
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.
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 Highlands County, FL?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Highlands County, FL. 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 Highlands County, FL and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Highlands County, FL
Our analysis gives Highlands County a property crime grade of: B. Highlands County is in the 35th percentile of safety, meaning 35% of cities in Florida are safer and 65% are more dangerous. Please visit our Highlands 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 Highlands County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 40. Compare this to the southern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 152.
C-
F |
|
B |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C+ |
A crime occurs every 2 hours 46 minutes (on average) in Highlands County, FL.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Highlands County safe? Compared to all of Florida, Highlands County is rated safer than the average Florida county, which has a property crime rate of 24.76 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Highlands County, with its burglary rate of 4.985 per 1000, is as safe as the average Florida county.
In addition, Highlands County is lower than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Highlands County, FL.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Highlands County, FL |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
5.254 |
520 |
10.0 |
Vehicle Theft |
0.4051 |
40 |
0.8 |
Burglary |
4.985 |
493 |
9.5 |
Arson |
0.1390 |
14 |
0.3 |
Weather and Climate in Highlands County, FL
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 Highlands County, FL
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Highlands County, FL is 74.93 degrees, reaching 105.24 degrees in the hottest months like August & July. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 104.40 degrees in August.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Highlands County was built in 1986, which is much newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Florida build in 1989.
Between hotter seasonal temperatures and older homes in Highlands 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 Highlands County, FL
Highlands County, FL gets an average rainfall of 1.2" per year. This is lower than the average of 1.5" for Florida.
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 Highlands County, FL
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Highlands County is 37 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Florida 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 Highlands 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 Highlands County, FL
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Highlands 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 22.02% (22,295) of people in Highlands County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 77.98% or 78,940 of Highlands 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 82% of people who commute an average of 26 minutes to work in or around Highlands 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 Highlands 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 Highlands County tend to have a lower median household income than nearby counties, earning $47,668 annually. In addition, 18.8% 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 Highlands County is $136,500. Compared to the median home value in Florida of $278,762, 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 Highlands County, FL
There are 47 police stations within the boundaries of Highlands County, and 6 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Highlands County center, there are 72 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Highlands County may be faster. Even when response times are good, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Sebring Antiques 6205 Us Highway 27 South Sebring, FL 33876 (863) 314-6951 |
Highlands County Criminal Div 590 South Commerce Avenue Sebring, FL 33870 (863) 402-6598 |
Law Enforcement Department 6444 Us Highway 27 South Sebring, FL 33876 (863) 386-6085 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Highlands County, FL
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Highlands County, FL? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardee County, FL | B+ | C | about as safe |
| DeSoto County, FL | B | D | about as safe |
| Okeechobee County, FL | C+ | D+ | less safe |
| Glades County, FL | D- | D | less safe |
| Polk County, FL | C+ | A- | less safe |
| Hendry County, FL | D | D+ | less safe |
| Charlotte County, FL | C | B+ | less safe |
| Osceola County, FL | D- | D+ | less safe |
| Sarasota County, FL | C+ | B- | less safe |
| Indian River County, FL | B | A- | about as safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Highlands County, FL
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Highlands County, FL? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin County, ME | B- | C+ | about as safe |
| Ashtabula County, OH | C+ | C+ | less safe |
| Bartow County, GA | A | A | more safe |
| Bastrop County, TX | A- | A | more safe |
| Bay County, MI | C- | C | less safe |
| Benton County, OR | D- | D- | less safe |
| Bowie County, TX | C- | D+ | less safe |
| Woodbury County, IA | D- | F | less safe |
| Burleigh County, ND | D | C | less safe |
| Cabell County, WV | C+ | C+ | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Highlands County, FL
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Highlands County, FL 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 Highlands 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.
ADT, Ring, and Simplisafe have emerged as the top choices for Highlands 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 Highlands County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 8 hours 12 minutes in Highlands County.
- The county experiences 10.78 property crimes and 6.003 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Highlands County's property crime grade stands at an 'B', comparably safer than other Florida {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- ADT: We believe ADT is the best home security system for residents of Highlands County. A higher median income of $47,668 along with an aging population (the median age in Highlands County is 55) solidifies ADT as our recommendation.
- 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.
- 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 105.24 degrees in the peak months of August & July.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.2" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 37 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 22.02% of Highlands County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 82% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Highlands County's lower household median income of $47,668 and 18.8% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Highlands County hosts 47 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.