The Best Home Security Systems in Polk County, IA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Polk County, IA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Polk 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 Polk County every 1 hour 3 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Polk County experiences 16.39 property crimes per 1000 people and 4.791 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 Polk County, IA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Polk County. The combination of a high amount of renters (33%) and education level (38% 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.
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 Polk County, IA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Polk 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 Polk County, IA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Polk County, IA
Our analysis gives Polk County a property crime grade of: B-. Polk County is in the 45th percentile of safety, meaning 45% of cities in Iowa are safer and 55% are more dangerous. Please visit our Polk County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southern part of Polk County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 36. Compare this to the northern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 155.
B+
B |
|
B- |
|
Other Crime Grade |
A |
A crime occurs every 40 minutes (on average) in Polk County, IA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Polk County safe? Compared to all of Iowa, Polk 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 Polk County, with its burglary rate of 3.258 per 1000, is as safe as the average Iowa county.
In addition, Polk County is higher than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Polk County, IA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Polk County, IA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
11.25 |
5,650 |
108.7 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.838 |
924 |
17.8 |
Burglary |
3.258 |
1,637 |
31.5 |
Arson |
0.0468 |
23 |
0.5 |
Weather and Climate in Polk 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 Polk County, IA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Polk County, IA is 44.98 degrees, reaching 88.99 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 89.48 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Polk County was built in 1982, which is newer than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Iowa build in 1974.
Between average seasonal temperatures and older homes in Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk County, IA
Polk County, IA reaches an average of 24.05 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 35.76 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Polk County is 41 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 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 Polk 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 Polk County, IA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Polk 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 33.50% (164,943) of people in Polk County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 66.50% or 327,458 of Polk 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 85% of people who commute an average of 24 minutes to work in or around Polk 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 8% of Polk 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 Polk County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $79,479 annually. In addition, 38.0% 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 Polk County is $210,042. Compared to the median home value in Iowa of $182,666, your home value will probably be higher. 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 Polk County, IA
There are 94 police stations within the boundaries of Polk County, and 34 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Polk County center, there are 127 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Polk 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.
| Polk Cnty Sheriff-Civil Admin 2309 Euclid Avenue Des Moines, IA 50310 (515) 286-3940 |
Polk County Decategorization 2309 Euclid Avenue Des Moines, IA 50310 (515) 725-2729 polkdecat.com |
Iowa Department of Pubc Safety 260 Nw 48th Place Des Moines, IA 50313 (515) 725-0010 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Polk County, IA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Polk County, IA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas County, IA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Jasper County, IA | B | B- | about as safe |
| Guthrie County, IA | B | A- | more safe |
| Poweshiek County, IA | D- | D | less safe |
| Audubon County, IA | C- | D+ | less safe |
| Iowa County, IA | B | B | more safe |
| Shelby County, IA | A- | B+ | more safe |
| Johnson County, IA | B+ | A+ | more safe |
| Harrison County, IA | A- | A | more safe |
| Cedar County, IA | B | C+ | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Polk County, IA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Polk County, IA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonoma County, CA | A | A | more safe |
| Jefferson County, CO | B | B+ | about as safe |
| Jefferson Parish, LA | B+ | B+ | more safe |
| Kane County, IL | A- | A | more safe |
| Knox County, TN | C+ | C+ | about as safe |
| Lake County, IN | D- | D | less safe |
| Lancaster County, PA | A- | A+ | more safe |
| Loudoun County, VA | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Montgomery County, OH | D+ | D | less safe |
| Plymouth County, MA | A+ | A | more safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Polk County, IA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Polk 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 Polk 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 Ring have emerged as the top choices for Polk 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 Polk 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 hour 3 minutes in Polk County.
- The county experiences 16.39 property crimes and 4.791 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Polk County's property crime grade stands at an 'B-', 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 Polk County. The combination of a high amount of renters (33%) and education level (38% 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.
- 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 88.99 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 24.05 degrees.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 33.50% of Polk County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 85% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Polk County's higher household median income of $79,479 and 38.0% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Polk County hosts 94 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.