The Best Home Security Systems in Houghton County, MI
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Houghton County, MI? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Houghton County, MI home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Houghton County every 20 hours 45 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Houghton County experiences 10.68 property crimes per 1000 people and 6.674 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 Houghton County, MI
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Houghton County. The combination of a high amount of renters (31%) and education level (37% 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.
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.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Houghton County, MI?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Houghton County, MI. 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 Houghton County, MI and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Houghton County, MI
Our analysis gives Houghton County a property crime grade of: B+. Houghton County is in the 24th percentile of safety, meaning 24% of cities in Michigan are safer and 76% are more dangerous. Please visit our Houghton 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 Houghton County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 65. Compare this to the southeastern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 161.
B-
C |
|
B+ |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C |
A crime occurs every 9 hours 0 minutes (on average) in Houghton County, MI.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Houghton County safe? Compared to all of Michigan, Houghton County is rated as safe as the average Michigan county, which has a property crime rate of 19.18 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Houghton County, with its burglary rate of 4.369 per 1000, is as safe as the average Michigan county.
In addition, Houghton County is lower than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Houghton County, MI.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Houghton County, MI |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
4.790 |
189 |
3.6 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.427 |
56 |
1.1 |
Burglary |
4.369 |
173 |
3.3 |
Arson |
0.0939 |
4 |
0.1 |
Weather and Climate in Houghton County, MI
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 Houghton County, MI
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Houghton County was built in 1970, which is older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Michigan build in 1975.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Houghton 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 Houghton County, MI
Houghton County, MI gets an average rainfall of 0.9" per year. This is higher than the average of 0.8" for Michigan.
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 Houghton County, MI
Houghton County, MI reaches an average of 10.78 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 21.67 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Houghton County is 53 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Michigan home that's 48 years old and 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 Houghton 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 Houghton County, MI
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Houghton 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 31.31% (11,696) of people in Houghton County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 68.69% or 25,665 of Houghton 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 78% of people who commute an average of 21 minutes to work in or around Houghton 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 7% of Houghton 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 Houghton County tend to have a lower median household income than nearby counties, earning $50,785 annually. In addition, 36.8% 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 Houghton County is $156,830. Compared to the median home value in Michigan of $196,062, 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 Houghton County, MI
There are 7 police stations within the boundaries of Houghton County, and 2 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Houghton County center, there are 13 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Houghton 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.
| Houghton Police Department 616 Shelden Avenue # 101 Houghton, MI 49931 (906) 482-2121 cityofhoughton.com |
Houghton County Sheriff 403 East Houghton Avenue Houghton, MI 49931 (906) 482-0055 houghtonsheriff.com |
Police Department 55195 Us Highway 41 South Calumet, MI 49913 (906) 337-2211 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Houghton County, MI
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Houghton County, MI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keweenaw County, MI | D- | F | less safe |
| Baraga County, MI | B | D | less safe |
| Ontonagon County, MI | F | F | less safe |
| Lake County, MN | C | C | less safe |
| Douglas County, WI | D+ | C- | less safe |
| St. Louis County, MN | D- | D- | less safe |
| Carlton County, MN | D+ | D+ | less safe |
| Itasca County, MN | C | B- | less safe |
| Cass County, MN | C | C | less safe |
| Beltrami County, MN | F | F | less safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Houghton County, MI
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Houghton County, MI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County, IN | C | B- | less safe |
| Lake County, MT | C+ | B- | less safe |
| Lafayette County, MO | B+ | A | about as safe |
| Knox County, KY | F | D- | less safe |
| Kleberg County, TX | C | B- | less safe |
| Kandiyohi County, MN | C | C+ | less safe |
| Juneau City and Borough, AK | B+ | A | about as safe |
| Juana Diaz Municipio, PR | C | D+ | less safe |
| Jennings County, IN | C | B | less safe |
| Jefferson Davis Parish, LA | C+ | B | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Houghton County, MI
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Houghton County, MI 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 Houghton 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 Vivint have emerged as the top choices for Houghton 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 Houghton County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 20 hours 45 minutes in Houghton County.
- The county experiences 10.68 property crimes and 6.674 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Houghton County's property crime grade stands at an 'B+', comparably as safe as other Michigan {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Houghton County. The combination of a high amount of renters (31%) and education level (37% 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.
- 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.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 10.78 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.9" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 53 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 31.31% of Houghton County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 78% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Houghton County's lower household median income of $50,785 and 36.8% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Houghton County hosts 7 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.