The Best Home Security Systems in O'Brien County, IA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in O'Brien County, IA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed O'Brien 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 O'Brien County every 1 day 1 hour, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. O'Brien County experiences 23.82 property crimes per 1000 people and 10.57 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 O'Brien County, IA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of O'Brien County. The combination of a high amount of renters (26%) and education level (22% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
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.
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.
Do You Need a Home Security System in O'Brien County, IA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in O'Brien 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 O'Brien County, IA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in O'Brien County, IA
Our analysis gives O'Brien County a property crime grade of: D. O'Brien County is in the 83rd percentile of safety, meaning 83% of cities in Iowa are safer and 17% are more dangerous. Please visit our O'Brien 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 O'Brien County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 13. Compare this to the southwestern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 82.
D-
F |
|
D |
|
Other Crime Grade |
F |
A crime occurs every 14 hours 32 minutes (on average) in O'Brien County, IA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is O'Brien County safe? Compared to all of Iowa, O'Brien County is rated as safe as the average Iowa county, which has a property crime rate of 17.97 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where O'Brien County, with its burglary rate of 6.345 per 1000, is as safe as the average Iowa county.
In addition, O'Brien County is similar to other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in O'Brien County, IA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in O'Brien County, IA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
16.03 |
232 |
4.5 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.398 |
20 |
0.4 |
Burglary |
6.345 |
92 |
1.8 |
Arson |
0.0463 |
1 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in O'Brien 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 O'Brien County, IA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in O'Brien County, IA is 39.25 degrees, reaching 84.78 degrees in the hottest months like July & June. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 86.27 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in O'Brien County was built in 1965, 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 O'Brien 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 O'Brien 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 O'Brien County, IA
O'Brien County, IA reaches an average of 16.45 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 26.48 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in O'Brien County is 58 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 O'Brien 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 O'Brien County, IA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your O'Brien 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 26.23% (3,720) of people in O'Brien County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 73.77% or 10,462 of O'Brien 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 22 minutes to work in or around O'Brien 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 O'Brien 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 O'Brien County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $63,432 annually. In addition, 21.6% 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 O'Brien County is $142,622. 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 O'Brien County, IA
There are 5 police stations within the boundaries of O'Brien County, and 0 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the O'Brien County center, there are 53 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in O'Brien 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.
| O'Brien County Sheriff's Office 240 1st St Ne Primghar, IA 51245 (712) 957-3415 obriencountysheriff.com |
Sheldon Police Hdqrs 416 9th St Sheldon, IA 51201 (712) 324-2525 |
City Of Sheldon 416 9th St # 2 Sheldon, IA 51201 (712) 324-2525 sheldoniowa.com |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near O'Brien County, IA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than O'Brien County, IA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux County, IA | B+ | A | more safe |
| Clay County, IA | B- | B- | more safe |
| Palo Alto County, IA | C | C- | more safe |
| Kossuth County, IA | D- | D- | less safe |
| Hancock County, IA | D- | D | about as safe |
| Cerro Gordo County, IA | D+ | D | about as safe |
| Charles Mix County, SD | B | C+ | more safe |
| Floyd County, IA | A+ | A | more safe |
| Chickasaw County, IA | F | F | less safe |
| Gregory County, SD | B- | B- | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to O'Brien County, IA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than O'Brien County, IA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bibb County, AL | B+ | A- | more safe |
| Amite County, MS | C- | C- | more safe |
| Anderson County, KY | C- | C+ | more safe |
| Andrew County, MO | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Andrews County, TX | B- | B+ | more safe |
| Anson County, NC | D- | D | about as safe |
| Antrim County, MI | B- | B- | more safe |
| Aransas County, TX | B- | B- | more safe |
| Assumption Parish, LA | C | C+ | more safe |
| Beckham County, OK | D+ | D+ | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in O'Brien County, IA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in O'Brien 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 O'Brien 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, Vivint, and ADT have emerged as the top choices for O'Brien 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 O'Brien County'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 1 hour in O'Brien County.
- The county experiences 23.82 property crimes and 10.57 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- O'Brien County's property crime grade stands at an 'D', comparably as safe as other Iowa {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of O'Brien County. The combination of a high amount of renters (26%) and education level (22% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top 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.
- 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.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 84.78 degrees in the peak months of July & June.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 16.45 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 26.23% of O'Brien County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 90% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering O'Brien County's higher household median income of $63,432 and 21.6% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- O'Brien County hosts 5 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.