The Best Home Security Systems in Merrill, WI
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Merrill, WI? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Merrill, WI home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Merrill every 1 day 18 hours, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Merrill experiences 12.26 property crimes per 1000 people and 4.924 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 Merrill, WI
Best Overall
ADT
We believe ADT is the best home security system for residents of Merrill. A higher median income of $62,385 along with an aging population (the median age in Merrill is 48) 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 Merrill, WI?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Merrill, WI. 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 city rather than making a general assessment. So read on to see what's unique about Merrill, WI and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Merrill, WI
Our analysis gives Merrill a property crime grade of: C-. Merrill is in the 68th percentile of safety, meaning 68% of cities in Wisconsin are safer and 32% are more dangerous. Please visit our Merrill crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southern part of Merrill, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 49. Compare this to the southeastern part of the city, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 107.
C+
B- |
|
C- |
|
Other Crime Grade |
B- |
A crime occurs every 16 hours 35 minutes (on average) in Merrill, WI.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Merrill safe? Compared to all of Wisconsin, Merrill is rated as safe as the average Wisconsin city, which has a property crime rate of 16.76 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a similar pattern, where Merrill, with its burglary rate of 3.035 per 1000, is as safe as the average Wisconsin city.
In addition, Merrill is lower than other cities with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Merrill, WI.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Merrill, WI |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
7.801 |
132 |
2.5 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.424 |
24 |
0.5 |
Burglary |
3.035 |
51 |
1.0 |
Arson |
0.0021 |
0 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in Merrill, WI
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 Merrill, WI
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Merrill was built in 1973, which is older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Wisconsin build in 1977.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Merrill, 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 Merrill, WI
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 Merrill, WI
Merrill, WI reaches an average of 17.18 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 23.45 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Merrill is 50 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Wisconsin home that's 46 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 Merrill 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 Merrill, WI
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Merrill 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 23.42% (3,908) of people in Merrill, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 76.58% or 12,779 of Merrill 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 88% of people who commute an average of 26 minutes to work in or around Merrill, 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 Merrill 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 Merrill tend to have a lower median household income than nearby cities, earning $62,385 annually. In addition, 17.2% 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 Merrill is $137,152. Compared to the median home value in Wisconsin of $220,185, 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 Merrill, WI
There are 2 police stations within the boundaries of Merrill, and 0 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Merrill center, there are 55 police stations. Compared to other cities, police response times in Merrill may be much slower. When response times are less than ideal, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| Merrill Police Department 1004 East 1st St Merrill, WI 54452 (715) 536-8311 |
Lincoln County Sheriff's Department 1104 East 1st St Stop 1 Merrill, WI 54452 (715) 536-6272 co.lincoln.wi.us |
Federal Bureau-Investigation 500 1st St Wausau, WI 54403 (715) 842-2666 ifccfbi.com |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Near Merrill, WI
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Merrill, WI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brokaw, WI | A | A+ | more safe |
| Hamburg, WI | A | A | more safe |
| Doering, WI | B | B- | more safe |
| Gleason, WI | C+ | C+ | more safe |
| Irma, WI | B+ | B | more safe |
| Nutterville, WI | B | A- | more safe |
| Heafford Junction, WI | C | C- | more safe |
| Dudley, WI | B- | B- | more safe |
| Wausau, WI | D | C- | less safe |
| Marathon, WI | A- | A | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Cities Similar to Merrill, WI
Nearby City | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Merrill, WI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zimmerman, MN | A- | A+ | more safe |
| Bethlehem, GA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Bothell West, WA | B- | C+ | more safe |
| Bridgeview, IL | D+ | C | about as safe |
| Bridgeville, PA | A | A- | more safe |
| Tanque Verde, AZ | C+ | C+ | more safe |
| Swansea, MA | B+ | A- | more safe |
| Sunny Vista, CA | C+ | A- | more safe |
| Summerfield, NC | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Auburn, MA | D | F | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Merrill, WI
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Merrill, WI can be a complicated decision. We've used distrinctive property crime statistics and varying environment factors about the city 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 Merrill 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 Merrill 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 Merrill's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 1 day 18 hours in Merrill.
- The city experiences 12.26 property crimes and 4.924 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Merrill's property crime grade stands at an 'C-', comparably as safe as other Wisconsin {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- ADT: We believe ADT is the best home security system for residents of Merrill. A higher median income of $62,385 along with an aging population (the median age in Merrill is 48) 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
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 17.18 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 23.42% of Merrill residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 88% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Merrill's lower household median income of $62,385 and 17.2% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Merrill hosts 2 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.