The Best Home Security Systems in Howard County, IA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Howard County, IA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Howard 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 Howard County every 20 hours 40 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Howard County experiences 43.23 property crimes per 1000 people and 9.062 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 Howard County, IA
Best Overall
Vivint
We believe Vivint is the best home security system for home owners. 80% of residents in Howard County own their homes. The superior smart home functionality will also appeal to the predominently younger population in Howard County where the median age is 42.
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.
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.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Howard County, IA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Howard 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 Howard County, IA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Howard County, IA
Our analysis gives Howard County a property crime grade of: F. Howard County is in the 99th percentile of safety, meaning 99% of cities in Iowa are safer and 1% are more dangerous. Please visit our Howard 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 Howard County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 11. Compare this to the northern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 96.
F
C |
|
F |
|
Other Crime Grade |
D- |
A crime occurs every 15 hours 21 minutes (on average) in Howard County, IA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Howard County safe? Compared to all of Iowa, Howard County is rated less safe than the average Iowa county, which has a property crime rate of 17.97 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Howard County, with its burglary rate of 4.937 per 1000, is as safe as the average Iowa county.
In addition, Howard County is lower than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Howard County, IA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Howard County, IA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
37.20 |
365 |
7.0 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.073 |
11 |
0.2 |
Burglary |
4.937 |
48 |
0.9 |
Arson |
0.0204 |
0 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in Howard 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 Howard County, IA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Howard County, IA is 37.96 degrees, reaching 80.51 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 84.66 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Howard County was built in 1951, which is much older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Iowa build in 1974.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Howard 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 Howard County, IA
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 Howard County, IA
Howard County, IA reaches an average of 11.98 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 22.56 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Howard County is 72 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 Howard 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 Howard County, IA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Howard 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 20.38% (1,930) of people in Howard County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 79.62% or 7,539 of Howard 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 81% of people who commute an average of 27 minutes to work in or around Howard 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 Howard 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 Howard County tend to have a lower median household income than nearby counties, earning $66,853 annually. In addition, 16.5% 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 Howard County is $129,191. 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 Howard County, IA
There are 4 police stations within the boundaries of Howard County, and 0 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Howard County center, there are 70 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Howard County may be slower. When response times can be improved, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Howard County Sheriff 137 North Elm St Cresco, IA 52136 (563) 547-3535 co.howard.ia.us |
County Of Howard 124 South Park Place Cresco, IA 52136 (563) 547-4637 howard-county.com |
Howard County Sheriff 124 South Park Place Cresco, IA 52136 (563) 547-3535 co.howard.ia.us |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Howard County, IA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Howard County, IA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winneshiek County, IA | C+ | C+ | more safe |
| Mitchell County, IA | A+ | B- | more safe |
| Allamakee County, IA | C | D+ | more safe |
| Worth County, IA | F | F | about as safe |
| Winnebago County, IA | F | F | about as safe |
| Richland County, WI | F | D- | about as safe |
| Sauk County, WI | A- | A- | more safe |
| Emmet County, IA | B+ | B+ | more safe |
| Columbia County, WI | C | B | more safe |
| Dickinson County, IA | C+ | C+ | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Howard County, IA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Howard County, IA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pondera County, MT | B- | B | more safe |
| Kearney County, NE | D- | D | more safe |
| Kearny County, KS | B- | B | more safe |
| Keith County, NE | D | D+ | more safe |
| Kemper County, MS | C- | D+ | more safe |
| Kenedy County, TX | D- | F | more safe |
| Kent County, TX | F | F | about as safe |
| Keweenaw County, MI | D- | F | more safe |
| Keya Paha County, NE | F | F | about as safe |
| Kidder County, ND | B | C- | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Howard County, IA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Howard 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 Howard 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 Ring have emerged as the top choices for Howard 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 Howard 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 40 minutes in Howard County.
- The county experiences 43.23 property crimes and 9.062 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Howard County's property crime grade stands at an 'F', comparably less safe than other Iowa {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Vivint: We believe Vivint is the best home security system for home owners. 80% of residents in Howard County own their homes. The superior smart home functionality will also appeal to the predominently younger population in Howard County where the median age is 42.
- 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.
- 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.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 80.51 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 11.98 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 20.38% of Howard County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 81% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Howard County's lower household median income of $66,853 and 16.5% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Howard County hosts 4 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.