The Best Home Security Systems in Milwaukee County, WI
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Milwaukee County, WI? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Milwaukee County, WI home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Milwaukee County every 32 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Milwaukee County experiences 17.29 property crimes per 1000 people and 4.883 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 Milwaukee County, WI
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Milwaukee County. The combination of a high amount of renters (49%) and education level (33% 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 Milwaukee County, WI?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Milwaukee County, 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 county rather than making a general assessment. So read on to see what's unique about Milwaukee County, WI and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Milwaukee County, WI
Our analysis gives Milwaukee County a property crime grade of: D. Milwaukee County is in the 79th percentile of safety, meaning 79% of cities in Wisconsin are safer and 21% are more dangerous. Please visit our Milwaukee County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the eastern part of Milwaukee County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 32. Compare this to the western part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 81.
D+
F |
|
D |
|
Other Crime Grade |
A- |
A crime occurs every 13 minutes (on average) in Milwaukee County, WI.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Milwaukee County safe? Compared to all of Wisconsin, Milwaukee County is rated as safe as the average Wisconsin county, which has a property crime rate of 16.76 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Milwaukee County, with its burglary rate of 3.418 per 1000, is as safe as the average Wisconsin county.
In addition, Milwaukee County is lower than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Milwaukee County, WI.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Milwaukee County, WI |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
12.20 |
11,491 |
221.0 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.665 |
1,568 |
30.2 |
Burglary |
3.418 |
3,219 |
61.9 |
Arson |
0.0050 |
5 |
0.1 |
Weather and Climate in Milwaukee County, 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 Milwaukee County, WI
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Milwaukee County was built in 1962, which is much 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee County, 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 Milwaukee County, WI
Milwaukee County, WI reaches an average of 22.12 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 29.63 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Milwaukee County is 61 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 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee County, WI
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Milwaukee 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 49.39% (464,048) of people in Milwaukee County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 50.61% or 475,441 of Milwaukee 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 80% of people who commute an average of 27 minutes to work in or around Milwaukee 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 6% of Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee County tend to have a lower median household income than nearby counties, earning $62,553 annually. In addition, 33.0% 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 Milwaukee County is $179,382. 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 Milwaukee County, WI
There are 121 police stations within the boundaries of Milwaukee County, and 55 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Milwaukee County center, there are 338 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Milwaukee County may be much faster. Even when response times are great, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| West Milwaukee Fire Department 4755 West Beloit Road Milwaukee, WI 53214 (414) 645-2151 westmilwaukee.org |
City Of Milwaukee 4715 West Vliet St Milwaukee, WI 53208 (414) 935-7233 cmers.com |
Expressway Patrol Hdqrs 1220 West Vliet St Milwaukee, WI 53205 (414) 289-6666 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Milwaukee County, WI
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Milwaukee County, WI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha County, WI | A | A- | more safe |
| Jefferson County, WI | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Dane County, WI | F | F | less safe |
| Ottawa County, MI | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Iowa County, WI | A- | A- | more safe |
| Kent County, MI | B+ | A- | more safe |
| Ionia County, MI | D | D+ | about as safe |
| Crawford County, WI | B | A | more safe |
| Shiawassee County, MI | A+ | A | more safe |
| Genesee County, MI | F | F | less safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Milwaukee County, WI
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Milwaukee County, WI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suffolk County, NY | A | A- | more safe |
| Salt Lake County, UT | C+ | D | more safe |
| Pima County, AZ | D | D | about as safe |
| Palm Beach County, FL | D+ | D | about as safe |
| Oakland County, MI | B | B+ | more safe |
| New York County, NY | F | F | less safe |
| Westchester County, NY | D- | D- | less safe |
| Wayne County, MI | D- | D- | less safe |
| Orange County, FL | D | C | about as safe |
| Sacramento County, CA | B | D | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Milwaukee County, WI
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Milwaukee County, WI 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 32 minutes in Milwaukee County.
- The county experiences 17.29 property crimes and 4.883 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Milwaukee County's property crime grade stands at an 'D', comparably as safe as other Wisconsin {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Milwaukee County. The combination of a high amount of renters (49%) and education level (33% 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 22.12 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 49.39% of Milwaukee County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 80% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Milwaukee County's lower household median income of $62,553 and 33.0% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Milwaukee County hosts 121 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.