The Best Home Security Systems in Polk County, WI
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Polk County, WI? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Polk 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 Polk County every 16 hours 33 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Polk County experiences 11.41 property crimes per 1000 people and 4.919 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, WI
Best Overall
ADT
We believe ADT is the best home security system for residents of Polk County. A higher median income of $67,670 along with an aging population (the median age in Polk County is 47) solidifies ADT as our recommendation.
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.
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 Polk County, WI?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Polk 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 Polk County, WI and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Polk County, WI
Our analysis gives Polk County a property crime grade of: A-. Polk County is in the 21st percentile of safety, meaning 21% of cities in Wisconsin are safer and 79% 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 central part of Polk County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 59. Compare this to the eastern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 105.
B
D- |
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A- |
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Other Crime Grade |
B |
A crime occurs every 5 hours 44 minutes (on average) in Polk County, WI.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Polk County safe? Compared to all of Wisconsin, Polk 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 Polk County, with its burglary rate of 2.446 per 1000, is as safe as the average Wisconsin county.
In addition, Polk County is lower than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Polk County, WI.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Polk County, WI |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
6.409 |
297 |
5.7 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.416 |
66 |
1.3 |
Burglary |
2.446 |
113 |
2.2 |
Arson |
1.137 |
53 |
1.0 |
Weather and Climate in Polk 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 Polk County, WI
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Polk County, WI is 41.66 degrees, reaching 87.21 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 78.76 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 1980, which is about average compared to the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Wisconsin build in 1977.
Between average seasonal temperatures and average home ages 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, WI
Polk County, WI gets an average rainfall of 0.6" per year. This is similar to the average of 0.6" for Wisconsin.
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, WI
Polk County, WI reaches an average of 17.23 degrees in its cold months of January & December. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 22.63 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Polk County is 43 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 about the same amount of 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, WI
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 19.38% (8,716) of people in Polk County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 80.62% or 36,261 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 88% of people who commute an average of 36 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 4% 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 lower median household income than nearby counties, earning $67,670 annually. In addition, 23.0% 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 $201,620. 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 Polk County, WI
There are 34 police stations within the boundaries of Polk County, and 5 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Polk County center, there are 203 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Polk 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.
| Sheriff 1642 Patterson Court Centuria, WI 54824 (715) 646-2673 |
Sheriff 631 Park Drive Balsam Lake, WI 54810 (504) 292-9022 |
Centuria Police Department Admin 305 Wisconsin Avenue Centuria, WI 54824 (715) 646-2666 centuria-wi.org |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Polk County, WI
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Polk County, WI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chisago County, MN | A | A+ | more safe |
| Barron County, WI | A | A | about as safe |
| Isanti County, MN | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Sherburne County, MN | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Rusk County, WI | C | D+ | less safe |
| Stearns County, MN | F | F | less safe |
| Stevens County, MN | A- | B+ | about as safe |
| Forest County, WI | F | F | less safe |
| Big Stone County, MN | B+ | B | about as safe |
| Menominee County, MI | C+ | C | less safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Polk County, WI
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Polk County, WI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Martin Parish, LA | A- | A | about as safe |
| Fayette County, TN | A- | A- | about as safe |
| Floyd County, KY | D+ | D+ | less safe |
| Franklin County, IL | D+ | C- | less safe |
| Franklin County, KY | D | D | less safe |
| Franklin County, NY | D+ | C- | less safe |
| Franklin County, TN | F | F | less safe |
| Franklin County, VA | B+ | B+ | about as safe |
| Fulton County, NY | B | C+ | less safe |
| Gila County, AZ | B- | B- | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Polk County, WI
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Polk 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 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.
ADT, Vivint, and Simplisafe 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 16 hours 33 minutes in Polk County.
- The county experiences 11.41 property crimes and 4.919 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Polk County's property crime grade stands at an 'A-', 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 Polk County. A higher median income of $67,670 along with an aging population (the median age in Polk County is 47) solidifies ADT as our recommendation.
- 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.
- 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 87.21 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & December temperatures averaging 17.23 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.6" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 43 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 19.38% of Polk County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 88% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Polk County's lower household median income of $67,670 and 23.0% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Polk County hosts 34 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.