The Best Home Security Systems in Howard County, NE
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Howard County, NE? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Howard County, NE 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 4 days 21 hours, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Howard County experiences 11.45 property crimes per 1000 people and 17.36 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, NE
Best Overall
ADT
We believe ADT is the best home security system for residents of Howard County. A higher median income of $63,784 along with an aging population (the median age in Howard County is 46) solidifies ADT as our recommendation.
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.
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, NE?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Howard County, NE. 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, NE and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Howard County, NE
Our analysis gives Howard County a property crime grade of: A. Howard County is in the 12th percentile of safety, meaning 12% of cities in Nebraska are safer and 88% 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 central part of Howard County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 74. Compare this to the northwestern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 115.
C+
A |
|
A |
|
Other Crime Grade |
F |
A crime occurs every 1 day 17 hours (on average) in Howard County, NE.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Howard County safe? Compared to all of Nebraska, Howard County is rated safer than the average Nebraska county, which has a property crime rate of 21.76 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a similar pattern, where Howard County, with its burglary rate of 3.141 per 1000, is as safe as the average Nebraska 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, NE.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Howard County, NE |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
7.019 |
46 |
0.9 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.253 |
8 |
0.2 |
Burglary |
3.141 |
20 |
0.4 |
Arson |
0.0387 |
0 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in Howard County, NE
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, NE
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Howard County, NE is 47.49 degrees, reaching 93.42 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 89.38 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 1961, which is much older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Nebraska build in 1975.
Between average 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, NE
Howard County, NE gets an average rainfall of 0.5" per year. This is lower than the average of 0.6" for Nebraska.
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, NE
Howard County, NE reaches an average of 36.49 degrees in its cold months of January & December. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 34.21 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 62 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Nebraska home that's 48 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, NE
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 22.02% (1,426) of people in Howard County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 77.98% or 5,049 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 90% of people who commute an average of 31 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 $63,784 annually. In addition, 18.5% 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 $165,338. Compared to the median home value in Nebraska of $188,542, 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, NE
There are 4 police stations within the boundaries of Howard County, and 3 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Howard County center, there are 42 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Howard 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.
| St Paul City City Light & Water Department 514 Grand St Saint Paul, NE 68873 (308) 754-9112 stpaulnebraska.com |
Howard County Sheriff 612 Indian St # 13 Saint Paul, NE 68873 (308) 754-5433 |
County Of Howard 522 Howard Avenue Saint Paul, NE 68873 (502) 254-2520 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Howard County, NE
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Howard County, NE? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merrick County, NE | C | B | less safe |
| Sherman County, NE | D- | D- | less safe |
| Polk County, NE | A | A | about as safe |
| Butler County, NE | A | A- | about as safe |
| Saunders County, NE | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Lincoln County, NE | B | B+ | less safe |
| Douglas County, NE | D+ | D+ | less safe |
| Sarpy County, NE | C | B- | less safe |
| Pottawattamie County, IA | C+ | C+ | less safe |
| Mills County, IA | A- | A | about as safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Howard County, NE
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Howard County, NE? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presque Isle County, MI | D+ | D+ | less safe |
| Jones County, SD | D | D+ | less safe |
| Juab County, UT | B | C- | less safe |
| Kalawao County, HI | F | F | less safe |
| Poquoson City, VA | A | A | about as safe |
| Potter County, PA | D+ | C | less safe |
| Potter County, SD | C | C+ | less safe |
| Powder River County, MT | D | D+ | less safe |
| Power County, ID | D+ | D+ | less safe |
| Prairie County, AR | B+ | B | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Howard County, NE
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Howard County, NE 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.
ADT, Vivint, 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 4 days 21 hours in Howard County.
- The county experiences 11.45 property crimes and 17.36 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Howard County's property crime grade stands at an 'A', comparably safer than other Nebraska {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- ADT: We believe ADT is the best home security system for residents of Howard County. A higher median income of $63,784 along with an aging population (the median age in Howard County is 46) solidifies ADT as our recommendation.
- 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.
- 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 93.42 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & December temperatures averaging 36.49 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.5" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 62 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 22.02% of Howard County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 90% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Howard County's lower household median income of $63,784 and 18.5% 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.