The Best Home Security Systems in McDowell County, NC
Are you looking for the best home security systems in McDowell County, NC? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed McDowell County, NC home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in McDowell County every 10 hours 34 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. McDowell County experiences 18.76 property crimes per 1000 people and 6.600 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 McDowell County, NC
Best Overall
Ring
We believe Ring is the best home security system for renters. 26% of residents in McDowell County rent rather than own their homes. Additionally, the median income is $51,845, lower than the national average, therefore it is important that Ring is also affordable, with monitoring optional.
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 McDowell County, NC?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in McDowell County, NC. 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 McDowell County, NC and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in McDowell County, NC
Our analysis gives McDowell County a property crime grade of: A. McDowell County is in the 10th percentile of safety, meaning 10% of cities in North Carolina are safer and 90% are more dangerous. Please visit our McDowell 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 McDowell County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 42. Compare this to the eastern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 64.
B+
C- |
|
A |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C- |
A crime occurs every 6 hours 4 minutes (on average) in McDowell County, NC.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is McDowell County safe? Compared to all of North Carolina, McDowell County is rated safer than the average North Carolina county, which has a property crime rate of 37.26 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a similar pattern, where McDowell County, with its burglary rate of 8.161 per 1000, is as safe as the average North Carolina county.
In addition, McDowell County is lower than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in McDowell County, NC.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in McDowell County, NC |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
9.813 |
433 |
8.3 |
Vehicle Theft |
0.7567 |
33 |
0.6 |
Burglary |
8.161 |
360 |
6.9 |
Arson |
0.0315 |
1 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in McDowell County, NC
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 McDowell County, NC
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in McDowell County, NC is 58.02 degrees, reaching 90.55 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 88.17 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in McDowell County was built in 1982, which is newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in North Carolina build in 1989.
Between average seasonal temperatures and older homes in McDowell 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 McDowell County, NC
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 McDowell County, NC
McDowell County, NC reaches an average of 47.39 degrees in its cold months of January & December. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 55.27 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in McDowell County is 41 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average North Carolina home that's 34 years old and 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 McDowell 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 McDowell County, NC
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your McDowell 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 25.85% (11,521) of people in McDowell County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 74.15% or 33,057 of McDowell 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 92% of people who commute an average of 29 minutes to work in or around McDowell 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 3% of McDowell 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 McDowell County tend to have a lower median household income than nearby counties, earning $51,845 annually. In addition, 17.4% 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 McDowell County is $147,365. Compared to the median home value in North Carolina of $226,477, 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 McDowell County, NC
There are 10 police stations within the boundaries of McDowell County, and 6 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the McDowell County center, there are 214 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in McDowell 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.
| Mc Dowell CO Investigation 593 Spaulding Road Marion, NC 28752 (828) 652-2237 |
Mc Dowell County Sheriff's Office 593 Spaulding Road Marion, NC 28752 (828) 652-4000 mcdowellcrimestoppers.com |
Marion Police Department 20 North Logan St Marion, NC 28752 (828) 652-3231 marionpd.org |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near McDowell County, NC
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than McDowell County, NC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burke County, NC | D | D+ | less safe |
| Buncombe County, NC | A | B+ | about as safe |
| Catawba County, NC | C+ | B- | less safe |
| Haywood County, NC | C- | C | less safe |
| Iredell County, NC | A | A+ | about as safe |
| Rowan County, NC | A- | B+ | less safe |
| Blount County, TN | A | A+ | about as safe |
| Randolph County, NC | B+ | B+ | less safe |
| Loudon County, TN | C | C+ | less safe |
| Monroe County, TN | D | D+ | less safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to McDowell County, NC
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than McDowell County, NC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macon County, NC | B- | B | less safe |
| Ogle County, IL | A+ | A+ | about as safe |
| Nye County, NV | F | F | less safe |
| Nelson County, KY | C | C- | less safe |
| Monroe County, WI | B+ | C | less safe |
| Mifflin County, PA | C+ | C | less safe |
| Manati Municipio, PR | B+ | B+ | less safe |
| Manassas City, VA | A | A- | about as safe |
| Madison County, OH | F | F | less safe |
| Madison County, ID | D- | D- | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in McDowell County, NC
Deciding whether you need a home security system in McDowell County, NC 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 McDowell 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.
Ring, ADT, and Simplisafe have emerged as the top choices for McDowell 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 McDowell County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 10 hours 34 minutes in McDowell County.
- The county experiences 18.76 property crimes and 6.600 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- McDowell County's property crime grade stands at an 'A', comparably safer than other North Carolina {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Ring: We believe Ring is the best home security system for renters. 26% of residents in McDowell County rent rather than own their homes. Additionally, the median income is $51,845, lower than the national average, therefore it is important that Ring is also affordable, with monitoring optional.
- 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 90.55 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & December temperatures averaging 47.39 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 25.85% of McDowell County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 92% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering McDowell County's lower household median income of $51,845 and 17.4% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- McDowell County hosts 10 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.