The Best Home Security Systems in Portage County, WI
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Portage County, WI? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Portage 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 Portage County every 10 hours 19 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Portage County experiences 12.10 property crimes per 1000 people and 5.419 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 Portage County, WI
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Portage County. The combination of a high amount of renters (28%) and education level (34% 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 Portage County, WI?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Portage 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 Portage County, WI and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Portage County, WI
Our analysis gives Portage County a property crime grade of: B+. Portage County is in the 30th percentile of safety, meaning 30% of cities in Wisconsin are safer and 70% are more dangerous. Please visit our Portage County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the northern part of Portage County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 55. Compare this to the eastern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 109.
B
D+ |
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B+ |
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Other Crime Grade |
B |
A crime occurs every 3 hours 47 minutes (on average) in Portage County, WI.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Portage County safe? Compared to all of Wisconsin, Portage 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 Portage County, with its burglary rate of 3.537 per 1000, is as safe as the average Wisconsin county.
In addition, Portage County is lower than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Portage County, WI.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Portage County, WI |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
6.056 |
425 |
8.2 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.373 |
96 |
1.9 |
Burglary |
3.537 |
248 |
4.8 |
Arson |
1.137 |
80 |
1.5 |
Weather and Climate in Portage 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 Portage County, WI
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Portage County, WI is 40.97 degrees, reaching 81.23 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has held steady compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 80.25 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Portage 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 colder seasonal temperatures and average home ages in Portage 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 Portage County, WI
Portage County, WI gets an average rainfall of 0.8" per year. This is higher than 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 Portage County, WI
Portage County, WI reaches an average of 19.23 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 24.06 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Portage 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 Portage 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 Portage County, WI
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Portage 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 28.10% (19,777) of people in Portage County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 71.90% or 50,600 of Portage 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 Portage 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 7% of Portage 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 Portage County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $70,114 annually. In addition, 34.1% 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 Portage County is $184,959. 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 Portage County, WI
There are 15 police stations within the boundaries of Portage County, and 14 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Portage County center, there are 76 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Portage 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.
| Plover Police Department 2420 Post Road Plover, WI 54467 (715) 345-5255 ploverwi.gov |
Portage Cnty Sheriff Court Office 1500 Strongs Avenue Stevens Point, WI 54481 (715) 346-1473 co.portage.wi.us |
Portage Cnty Sheriff Jail Info 1500 Strongs Avenue Stevens Point, WI 54481 (715) 346-1259 co.portage.wi.us |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Portage County, WI
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Portage County, WI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood County, WI | C | C- | less safe |
| Waupaca County, WI | C | C+ | less safe |
| Outagamie County, WI | A- | A | more safe |
| Jackson County, WI | A- | A- | more safe |
| Brown County, WI | C- | B- | less safe |
| Kewaunee County, WI | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Buffalo County, WI | D | D | less safe |
| Pepin County, WI | A- | B- | about as safe |
| Goodhue County, MN | B- | B | less safe |
| Manistee County, MI | C- | C- | less safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Portage County, WI
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Portage County, WI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lea County, NM | A | A | more safe |
| Somerset County, PA | D | D+ | less safe |
| Scioto County, OH | C- | C | less safe |
| Ross County, OH | D | D | less safe |
| Riley County, KS | D | D- | less safe |
| Raleigh County, WV | D+ | D | less safe |
| Putnam County, TN | C+ | C+ | less safe |
| Putnam County, FL | B- | B- | less safe |
| Pottawatomie County, OK | C | C+ | less safe |
| McKinley County, NM | F | F | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Portage County, WI
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Portage 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 Portage 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 Portage 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 Portage County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 10 hours 19 minutes in Portage County.
- The county experiences 12.10 property crimes and 5.419 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Portage County's property crime grade stands at an 'B+', 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 Portage County. The combination of a high amount of renters (28%) and education level (34% 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 81.23 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 19.23 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 0.8" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 43 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 28.10% of Portage County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 85% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Portage County's higher household median income of $70,114 and 34.1% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Portage County hosts 15 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.