The Best Home Security Systems in Smyth County, VA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Smyth County, VA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Smyth County, VA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Smyth County every 22 hours 47 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Smyth County experiences 13.05 property crimes per 1000 people and 5.926 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 Smyth County, VA
Best Overall
Ring
We believe Ring is the best home security system for renters. 28% of residents in Smyth County rent rather than own their homes. Additionally, the median income is $44,054, much lower than the national average, therefore it is important that Ring is also affordable, with monitoring optional.
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.
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 Smyth County, VA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Smyth County, VA. 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 Smyth County, VA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Smyth County, VA
Our analysis gives Smyth County a property crime grade of: B-. Smyth County is in the 42nd percentile of safety, meaning 42% of cities in Virginia are safer and 58% are more dangerous. Please visit our Smyth County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the northwestern part of Smyth County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 39. Compare this to the western part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 99.
B-
D+ |
|
B- |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C+ |
A crime occurs every 12 hours 12 minutes (on average) in Smyth County, VA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Smyth County safe? Compared to all of Virginia, Smyth County is rated safer than the average Virginia county, which has a property crime rate of 23.20 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Smyth County, with its burglary rate of 3.118 per 1000, is as safe as the average Virginia county.
In addition, Smyth County is lower than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Smyth County, VA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Smyth County, VA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
8.617 |
254 |
4.9 |
Vehicle Theft |
1.281 |
38 |
0.7 |
Burglary |
3.118 |
92 |
1.8 |
Arson |
0.0363 |
1 |
0.0 |
Weather and Climate in Smyth County, VA
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 Smyth County, VA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Smyth County, VA is 49.25 degrees, reaching 85.69 degrees in the hottest months like July & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 82.11 degrees in July.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Smyth County was built in 1975, which is older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in Virginia build in 1984.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Smyth 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 Smyth County, VA
Smyth County, VA gets an average rainfall of 1.0" per year. This is similar to the average of 1.1" for Virginia.
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 Smyth County, VA
Smyth County, VA reaches an average of 39.03 degrees in its cold months of January & February. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the coldest month reached 50.75 degrees in January.
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Smyth County is 48 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average Virginia home that's 39 years old and 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 Smyth 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 Smyth County, VA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Smyth 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 28.46% (8,481) of people in Smyth County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 71.54% or 21,319 of Smyth 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 89% of people who commute an average of 28 minutes to work in or around Smyth 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 2% of Smyth 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 Smyth County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $44,054 annually. In addition, 15.6% 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 Smyth County is $105,668. Compared to the median home value in Virginia of $323,261, 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 Smyth County, VA
There are 15 police stations within the boundaries of Smyth County, and 3 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Smyth County center, there are 122 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Smyth 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.
| Marion Police Department 555 South Main St Marion, VA 24354 (276) 783-8145 marionpd.net |
Sheriff's Office 111 West Court St Marion, VA 24354 (276) 783-7204 smythcounty.org |
Smyth County Sheriff Department 819 Matson Drive Marion, VA 24354 (276) 782-4056 smythcounty.org |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Smyth County, VA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Smyth County, VA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County, VA | B- | B- | about as safe |
| Wythe County, VA | C | C+ | less safe |
| Russell County, VA | F | D- | less safe |
| Carroll County, VA | C+ | C+ | less safe |
| Wise County, VA | F | F | less safe |
| Norton City, VA | D- | D+ | less safe |
| Floyd County, VA | A | B | more safe |
| Lee County, VA | D- | D- | less safe |
| Harlan County, KY | D | D- | less safe |
| Pittsylvania County, VA | B- | B | about as safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Smyth County, VA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Smyth County, VA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County, AL | C | C+ | less safe |
| San Miguel County, NM | C- | B- | less safe |
| San Lorenzo Municipio, PR | C- | C+ | less safe |
| San Jacinto County, TX | B+ | B | more safe |
| San German Municipio, PR | C- | C- | less safe |
| Geary County, KS | D+ | D | less safe |
| Garrett County, MD | C+ | C+ | about as safe |
| Fulton County, IL | C+ | C | less safe |
| Freeborn County, MN | C+ | C+ | less safe |
| Fredericksburg City, VA | F | F | less safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Smyth County, VA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Smyth County, VA 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 Smyth 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.
Ring, ADT, and Simplisafe have emerged as the top choices for Smyth 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 Smyth County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 22 hours 47 minutes in Smyth County.
- The county experiences 13.05 property crimes and 5.926 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Smyth County's property crime grade stands at an 'B-', comparably safer than other Virginia {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Ring: We believe Ring is the best home security system for renters. 28% of residents in Smyth County rent rather than own their homes. Additionally, the median income is $44,054, much lower than the national average, therefore it is important that Ring is also affordable, with monitoring optional.
- 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.
- 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 85.69 degrees in the peak months of July & August.
- Freeze sensors might be worth considering, with January & February temperatures averaging 39.03 degrees.
- Flood sensors are also worth considering due to the 1.0" of average yearly rainfall and house age of 48 years.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 28.46% of Smyth County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 89% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Smyth County's higher household median income of $44,054 and 15.6% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Smyth County hosts 15 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.